FGCU set to host virtual graduation for spring commencement

Graduation is a rite of passage for any student, but FGCU’s spring semester ceremony won’t be held in traditional form. But the university is working to make sure students are still honored with a sendoff.

FGCU seniors are set to experience the university’s first virtual graduation for 2020 spring commencement.

“We’ve had each graduate received from us a mortar board tassel in the mail, and they’ve been invited to participate by either sending in their pictures or sending us a short video,” FGCU president Mike Martin told WINK News.

Senior Carli Cappola told us it’s not the most ideal situation.

“It’s always been like my dream to walk across the stage, graduate college,” Cappola said. “It’s definitely been a change, and it’s been upsetting to not be able to walk across the stage.”

Cesar Hernandez Isidro, the first college graduate in his family, also won’t get to walk across a stage, but will celebrate the milestone.

“Graduating itself is an accomplishment that everyone looks forward to,” Hernandez said. “It’s something that you work so hard to get to and just because were in a pandemic it doesn’t mean any less.”

Martin will still send students off with a special message as they move into the next chapter of their lives. He also said FGCU hopes to hold a traditional graduation once things return to normal.

“You ought to be proud of yourself,” Martin said. “You ought to be proud of your colleagues, and you ought to be proud to be a graduate of FGCU because we’re proud of you.”