UT's class of 2021 Rockets launch during spring commencement ceremonies
May 8—The University of Toledo's class of 2021 gathered in two separate ceremonies Saturday to walk across a stage at the Glass Bowl Stadium and receive their diplomas.
"I think it's a beautiful day to launch some rockets," Terry Bigioni, the commencement's grand marshal, said to usher in the nearly 2,000 candidates receiving bachelor's degrees.
The ceremonies also celebrated more than 700 new master's degrees, 52 associate's degrees, and 12 educational specialist and 45 graduate certificates. About 300 graduates from the class of 2020 who completed their degrees during the coronavirus pandemic also returned to campus to participate.
Early Saturday morning, Tia Hopkins and Whitney Gawronski sat side by side in the front row of graduates. Both graduated from UT's College of Nursing and plan to become family-practice nurses. Ms. Hopkins' son is the same age as Ms. Gawronski's oldest daughter.
"It's just a really special time," Ms. Gawronski said, tearing up shortly after receiving her diploma. "Going through everything while working in the healthcare field, Tia and I were talking about, we barely got to know each other because we've been so disconnected as a class, but it's just still such a special time."
"I'm just so proud of everyone," Ms. Hopkins added.
Ms. Gawronski and Ms. Hopkins walked with the graduates from the colleges of engineering, health and human services, nursing, and university college at the 10 a.m. commencement ceremony. Another ceremony for the colleges of arts and letters, business, education, and natural sciences and mathematics was held at 3 p.m.
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In his opening remarks to the class of 2021, UT's President Gregory Postel congratulated the graduates on their perseverance in the midst of the pandemic.
"I am confident that you are now prepared to face anything," he said.
UT alumna Irma Olguin, Jr. virtually delivered the ceremonies' keynote address. Ms. Olguin is the co-founder and chief executive officer of Bitwise Industries in Fresno, Calif. She was raised by field laborers who migrated to California, following work and food, she said.
"I ended up at college accidentally. It was a wonderful, wonderful experience, but it was never part of my life plan. I never felt as though it was for me," the tech star said. "So I've dedicated my life's work to making sure that other people feel the invitation to achieve their own agency."
Ms. Olguin received her bachelor's degree in computer science and engineering in 2004 from UT's College of Engineering. She has since become a trailblazer for inclusivity and minority representation in the tech industry.
"Whatever it is, whatever the motivation behind the thing is, that's what you've got to figure out," she advised the graduates. "Today is about that. Today is about figuring out the type of human being you want to be and how you're going to show up in the world. And you've got time to do that. Everyday is the beginning of the rest of your life."
In March, Bitwise Industries announced plans to open a branch in the Jefferson Center building, Toledo's historic former post office, near downtown Toledo.
"What I found in Toledo, very similar to Fresno, California, is a place and a people with heart and grit and pride and so much history that I really felt like I had found kindred spirits across the country," Ms. Olguin said during her address. She advised the graduates to share their knowledge with their communities, to make them better, and to build up the people that contributed to their success.
"We can be the thing that makes those places the most exciting," Ms. Olguin said.
Graduates and their families were socially distanced throughout the ceremonies, with tickets limited and required for admission to the Glass Bowl. The ceremonies were streamed live online for those unable to attend in person.
The College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences held a separate in-person ceremony last weekend. Doctoral candidates were hooded on Friday. The College of Law commencement is scheduled for May 15 at 10 a.m. and the College of Medicine and Life Sciences commencement is 3 p.m. on May 21, both in Savage Arena.
