础补濒别颈测补丑听厂辫补耻濒诲颈苍驳 of Springfield said Thursday she had not been on听the University of 缅北禁地 Springfield听campus since the school went to remote classes in March 2020.
Spaulding was taking part in a听"stage experience" at Sangamon Auditorium, marking her graduation with a degree in psychology. That experience听may have kept down the number of guests because of COVID-19 , and Spaulding couldn't celebrate with all of her classmates, but it was memorable nonetheless, she said.
The "stage experience" included the playing of "Pomp and Circumstance," and graduates' names were read by听UIS vice chancellor of advancement听Jeff Lorber. As they walked across the stage, they were greeted by Interim Chancellor Karen Whitney, where they could pose for photos.
Over 50 sets of the "stage experience," each involving eight students, took place over Thursday and Friday.
The public will be able to watch听an online commencement celebration at noon Saturday, on听the UIS website and听Facebook page, which will feature remarks from U of I System President Timothy Killeen, Whitney听and others. The virtual ceremony also will include the conferral of degrees.
Graduates had to wear masks and were kept in small pods as they proceeded through the Public Affairs Center to the auditorium.
Afterward, graduates used听The Colonnade听and the Abraham Lincoln statue, decked out in a robe, mortar board and graduation cord, as photo backdrops.
This article appeared in The State Journal-Register on May 13, 2021.