Graduation at Humboldt State is completed; yet you can feel the emotion and excitement in the air. There is the pride of a long effort rewarded, and the relief that end-of-year pressures are over. And for many family members, there is the bittersweet experience of seeing a child progress from one stage of life to another. It may be to a new career, the continuance of a meaningful relationship, or back to the room or basement in your home.

It’s striking how normal and joyous it is, in a year that is very different in many ways. For graduates, the usual in-person ceremonies were not held and parties were mostly virtual.

But somehow the thrill of graduation is all around us. It is there in our social media feeds and in the news media. You see graduation signs and other decorations around town, and occasionally graduation photos being taken in various favorite spots. As a community, we are coming together and finding ways to honor graduates at all levels — and it has been positively emotional.

As usual at Humboldt State, we held one of the area’s early commencement ceremonies this year, recognizing more than 2,100 graduates on May 16. It was a virtual celebration, and it truly was moving and heartfelt.

Students and their faculty were featured in videos for each of the three Colleges, which debuted at different times throughout the day. They included speeches and a student performance of the National Anthem. There was also a very energetic live-chat filled with comments from families and friends, shout-outs from faculty and staff, virtual air-horns, and more. Thousands of people logged in to view throughout the day. This was, at times, comparable to attendance at previous face-to-face commencements.

Many academic departments also held virtual receptions. They were well-attended and very personal, with many students sharing favorite stories and faculty getting to meet the families and friends. It was all “very Humboldt.”

You can view the commencement celebration videos and find out more about the graduates at the 2020 Commencement website at commencement.humboldt.edu.

To help make the commencement videos, graduates were invited to submit photos, videos and short written comments. Hundreds did so, and I want to share just a few examples of what they had to say:

“Thank you to my loved ones, family, friends, and professors who believed in me! I hope to make you proud with my future accomplishments! Sí se puede!”

Diana Renoj, Film

“Humboldt was an amazing school where I met lifelong friends and made memories that I’ll cherish forever. Thanks to my family who supported me through this journey!”

Caitlin Marie Pehl, Criminology & Justice Studies

“This belongs to so many people, far too many to mention and so much thanks to give. I am forever grateful for the labor, time, patience, and support I have received … .”

Mel Whipkey, Environment & Community

“Thank you to everyone that has helped me through my time here in HSU, such as family, professors, and friends! I have had to go through so many difficult situations, and also have had such wonderful times with so many people that I’ve met up here. I never expected to have gotten the opportunities that I have been given here, and am grateful for it all, for I have loved and learned so much for what I have accomplished and experienced … .”

Atalia Cohen, Zoology

“I am beyond grateful to have been educated in such an amazing place. Big thank you to my wonderful Dad, family and friends for the love and support to help me achieve my goals. Congrats class of 2020!!!”

Leah Harden, Elementary Education

“I am very thankful for this institution and the education I received from it. I learned many things, but the most valuable lesson I learned was how to be more independent and more resilient. As a first generation student, more is always better. More determination, more resilience, more ambition. Congratulations to my peers, may we all do more good in this world.”

Ma Selene Salazar-Cienfuegos, Psychology

“Thank you to my family, community, and ancestors before me, that have persevered and allowed me to be here today. I could not have done this without you.”

Jasmine Renee Pedroza, Child Development

“Love you Mom!!! And ALL the AMAZING staff!! You made this possible!! I’m proud to be a first-generation Mexican American woman in STEM!!”

Roxana Sandoval, Chemistry

We all have different paths, and we all have different stories to tell, but somehow we all made it this far. Let’s honor those who stood here before, let’s honor ourselves, and let’s honor the ones who are yet to be here. Let’s get rid of fear, and let’s tear down walls, for we all can make a difference to steer the world in the direction of kindness. ¡Felicidades clase del 2020, la aventura nunca termina!

Jesus Cornejo, Psychology

A huge thank you to all my professors, staff, faculty, cups of coffee, friends, mentors, opportunities, lectures, field trips, labs, lessons, aunts, uncles, cousins, Grandma and of course Alex, Bonnie & Jim. I couldn’t have done it without all of you, thank you for everything!

Miyako Lee Yoneko Namba, Geography

This has been a crazy journey so far! When I moved from Bolivia to attend HSU, the culture shock was strong, and it made me doubt if I could make this place my home. I was surprised, however, by the kindness and support I received. I have never encountered so many wonderful people and magical places as here at Humboldt. Now nothing makes me feel more at home than the redwoods and the marsh. … Even though my time here is coming to an end, Humboldt and all of its critters will always be my home.

Natalia Sojka, Wildlife

You can really feel their pride and enthusiasm, and there were hundreds like this. The graduates clearly built strong connections with HSU faculty and staff, and many of them shared how living in this community was an important part of the experience. Many called Humboldt “home.”

Personally, I treasure the memory of this year’s commencement. Hearing from our students, taking part in the live-chat, and joining in many of the virtual receptions all added up to a day-long celebration of the positive and meaningful experience that HSU provides.

Be well.

Dr. Tom Jackson Jr. is the president of Humboldt State University.