Although substantial progress has been made in reducing the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the University of Washington had to rule out live graduation exercises and other large gatherings this month. However, the School of Dentistry, as it did last year, came up with a creative solution.
School officials produced a video that included many of the key elements of the traditional Hooding ceremony normally held at the UW’s Meany Hall: a welcome by the dean, a keynote address by a faculty member, and remarks by the graduating class president. The video also included individual messages of appreciation from the students that would customarily be displayed onscreen at Meany Hall when each graduate walked the stage.
In addition to the video, the school held an unofficial graduation recognition event on June 5 at its satellite clinic at Sand Point. During the outdoor event, at which faculty and staff were fully masked regardless of vaccination status, students donned caps and gowns and received their diploma covers and a parting gift bag. Families and friends were on hand to join the faculty in delivering rousing applause and cheers for the graduates.