By Logan Loewenstein

On the afternoon of May 21, the stands of the Xfinity Center will be empty once again. Thousands of graduating seniors at the University of Maryland will not be able to walk across the stadium stage and hear the cheers of proud family members. 

The class of 2021 will graduate virtually this spring due to the continuing health and safety protocols of COVID-19, but seniors this year seemed less frustrated about the unorthodox commencement ceremony than the class that came before them. 

“It’s just so out of our control,” said Jack Hogan, a journalism major in his final semester. 

“The virus is affecting so many people in much worse ways that you just have to go with the flow and try not to think about what would have been,” Hogan said.

Many of these students were forced to return early from their semesters abroad last spring, and campus life has not been the same ever since. They never had a final football season filled with tailgates, bar crawls and everything else that comes with their last year of being an undergraduate Terrapin. 

“I didn’t even get second semester junior year,” said Ryan Lam, a senior computer science major. “Considering all of last semester was taken away and this semester is basically the same, I’d say I am ready to graduate and get my life moving forward, but it’s sad that I will be graduating and I won’t be able to experience that again.” 

Seniors said there is less to be sentimental about, with a lack of social gatherings and being able to see their peers every day in class as opposed to on a computer screen.

Some said even if the vaccines were available, there would not be a possibility of everyone getting the shot in time for the school to suddenly return to business as usual just in time for their final weeks. 

UMD is examining other options for a campuswide in-person commencement that will follow all “national, state and county COVID guidelines.” Some seniors feel it would be worthwhile, even they have to wait a little longer to get their degrees.

“We’ve taken out loans and spent thousands of dollars to graduate from here,” said Abbigail Klein, a pre-law journalism student. “Of course I would want to come back for a ceremony that reflects the work I’ve done to get to this point.” 

The commencement ceremony last spring took place in the peak of COVID-19 confusion. This semester’s graduates will have had a year to adapt to the restrictions.

Seniors have had a lot of time to spend with their friends throughout this year with classes online. Many students have been sunbathing on McKeldin Mall, going on walks through Old Town and taking day trips to Washington.

“In my opinion, we’ve gotten so much closer this year because of COVID- 19 and because there’s not much else to do than hang out with one another,” said Klein. “So if anything I just wish we could have more time like this.”

UMD is sending out packages to the graduating class with a pin, commencement program and cap and gown, which seems a little underwhelming to some after four years of hard work.

“My sister graduated here two years ago and I remember it being a much bigger deal,” said Lam. “Seeing her walk the stage and shake the hand of the head of her department feels more appropriate than watching my name scroll by on a Zoom link.”

Seniors can still feel the emotions of a chapter of their life coming to a close, and many feel it will be just as memorable as it would be if they were sitting next to thousands of their peers. 

“They can send me my diploma, I don’t need a whole ceremony,” said Hogan. “I just want to celebrate with my family and spend the time I have left here with my friends.”

With growing numbers of vaccinated adults and COVID-19 restrictions slowly being lifted from restaurants and other public places, the senior class recognizes how many life experiences await them in the coming months. 

“I’m ready to go to law school and take this next step, but this whole year opened my eyes to a lot,” Klein said. “I couldn’t be more thankful because it really created friendships and memories that I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.”

Featured image: UMD commencement ceremonies usually take place at the Xfinity Center. Photo by Logan Loewenstein.