b'36RAPPORT | Notes & News2021 Commencementypically held in the late spring,Ecker offered wisdom gained through his career, T Commencement was moved to Septemberurging the graduates to be compassionate, follow the to offer the best possibility to hold ascience, and take action, on their path to helping traditional event. Unfortunately, pandemicthousands and teaching hundreds.conditions made a large gathering unwise so, notHannah expressed the importance of the small unlike the academic models employed this fallsteps that lead to a lifelong journey, calling upon the and so many other activities of the past two years,graduates to both advocate for and to be a part of Commencement 2021 took a hybrid approach. Tothe change to which they are dedicating their lives. To offer a full experience fitting of the occasion andhighlight the impact of these seemingly small steps, open to all (in one form or another), the Collegeshe quoted Mother Theresa. One might feel what you hosted both an in-person hooding ceremonyare doing is only a drop in the ocean. Yet the ocean and a fully virtual online Commencement. would be so much less without that drop, she said.Dr. Stacey Lambert read graduates names and, as HOODING CEREMONY names were read, the grads, dressed in cap and gown, Nearly a third of this years graduating class attendedwalked across the stage to receive their masters or a private hooding in the Colleges parking lot. A banddoctoral hood, or recognition of completion of their played, and President Nicholas Covino and thisbachelors degree. years Grand Marshals, Dr. Bruce Ecker and The day called for rain, but the ceremony stayed Ms. Margaret Hannah, gave speeches. sunny and, as if scripted, a rainbow arched above the graduates just prior to the processional.'