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Tennessee Tech’s virtual graduation celebration included memories from hundreds of graduates of special moments and what made their Tech experience special.
The online celebration brought graduates together on the day reserved for the Class Of 2020. COVID-19 will move spring commencement ceremonies to August.
“Remember your time at Tech not by what you lost but by what you gained,” Tennessee Tech President Dr. Phil Oldham said. “Your time here has been filled with experiences that have prepared you for a lifetime of success.”
Oldham celebrated the graduates for how they dealt with these last two months of their senior year during the COVID shutdown. Oldham said the students had moments stolen and chances to make memories this semester taken away. He said students responded with “resolve, tenacity, a lot of common sense, effort and patience.”
Cookeville Mayor Ricky Shelton said students had learned a lot about themselves and their strength by finishing their college career on their own, away from campus.
“Your resilience has gotten you through it,” Shelton said. “As you transition into your next phase of life, I just want to say good luck.”
The campus has been virtually empty since March when the COVID-19 outbreak began. Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter told students they had been missed.
“It’s been a tough time,” Porter said. “I know it’s been difficult not being able to be on campus. We love Tennessee Tech. We love the students and what you do to be part of our community.”
Both Porter and Shelton celebrated the inspiration hundreds of Tech students provided to the community when they were among the first volunteers to help in the Highway 70 corridor.
The virtual celebration included slides organized by college where hundreds of graduates shared memories and thoughts on the special day. Common memories included the 2016 January snow, the Tennessee Tech baseball run through the NCAA Tournament, the Judah and the Lion concert and the overtime football thriller against Samford last season.
Sparta graduate Peyton Mitchell remembered the late nights in Brown Hall.
“I studied hard and laughed even harder during those nights,” Mitchell wrote.
Goodlettsville graduate Allie Guinn celebrated all those on campus who loved and cared, “and taught me how to be the version of myself.”
Cookeville’s Monet Hotaling celebrated her study partner during her Tech career, her daughter born during her studies. Hotaling shared a picture of presenting her undergraduate thesis with her daughter strapped to her front in a carrier. She said her daughter served as her inspiration to better herself.
Governor Bill Lee celebrated the graduates for their four years of hard work. Tech graduate Jake Hoot performed his song “Tennessee Strong” to conclude the video.
Jamestown’s Kayla Smith is graduating with a degree from the College of Interdisciplinary Studies. She said her lasting memory of her years at Tennessee Tech came recently.
“The day I walked onto campus to get my cap and gown,” Smith wrote. “This was the day I realized I have finally made it. I have finished this chapter of my life.”
