MILWAUKEE — Saturday, two local colleges took the morning to celebrate their outgoing 2020 classes.
Carthage College held a virtual commencement, while Alverno College held a virtual conferral to honor its respective students.
It isn't what graduates expected at the beginning of the spring semester, but each college managed to pull off the virtual events for its seniors.
“I’m reflecting on all the people I would’ve hugged today. I am so thankful from the bottom of my heart to the people I would’ve hugged today. Thank you so much," said senior Jane Thurow.
Thurow was emotional as she remembered the people she could miss from her final moments of on-campus life.
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Instead, she was in Madison, graduating from Carthage College with a degree in communications.
In Milwaukee, Kim Otzelberger, a graduate of Alverno College, celebrated from her living room.
“You spend all this time working toward this degree and boom. There it is. It’s a good feeling," Otzelberger said.
Otzelberger said while she isn't able to walk the stage yet, she's happy to see herself, and her friends, honored.
“I think we had enough time to mentally prepare that this wasn’t going to be the whole shebam. Having this today made this day feel special," Otzelberger said.
A rep with Carthage College said leaders are exploring all options for students during fall 2020.
A rep with Alverno College sent the following:
"Alverno is doing everything in our power to welcome students to campus for the fall semester in a safe, enjoyable environment, if health and governmental guidelines allow it. Our small class sizes and flexible-use classrooms give us added confidence that we can provide in-person learning and the same exceptional student experience for which we are known, while taking all recommended precautions. This is our goal, and a cross-campus team is working to make it happen."