Life happens so just roll with it6/18/2023 It was a memorable event, if a little bittersweet for some students such as College of Medicine graduate Margaret Ball-Dayson. They brought cowbells to shake not only for her nephew but for all of the graduates who passed by. “Yesterday, we were like, 'Let’s all pile in and go,'” said Mandy Elmore. Mandy and John Elmore, along with Mary and Wayne Hinson, came from Anderson, South Carolina, to surprise College of Medicine graduate J.C. Some family members came to celebrate in a designated area of the parking lot. We wanted to make sure we can do something for the graduates but still have a safe environment for them.” Faculty members wave streamers and applaud as students drive by to pick up their diplomas. We’re trying to do social distancing as much as we can. We had gloves and masks and we took all precautions to make today safe. “We had very little contact with all the materials. Patrick Cassano, director of records and registration in the Office of Enrollment Management, described the precautions they took. ![]() They came up with the idea for the drive-through ceremony. “To not be able to do something would be heartbreaking to me.” When registrar Melissa Freeland realized the coronavirus meant that MUSC couldn’t hold its traditional commencement, which would have meant large crowds, hugs and handshakes, she started brainstorming. Safety precautions were on the minds of organizers of the diploma drive-through ceremony. 1 for being exposed to the coronavirus, but I think all of us are taking our time and giving us the proper safety precautions to help with patients.” The uncertainty that has come with the coronavirus pandemic affected other students as well, including College of Dental Medicine graduate Felicia Bragg. “It’s nice to feel appreciated when a bunch of us don’t know what’s going on with our career and it’s nice to still feel like we’re getting a reward even though there’s a lot of uncertainty.” Family members who traveled from Anderson to celebrate College of Medicine student J.C. “I think we’re just so happy that they’ve done this for us,” Lee said.įleshman agreed. Madeleine Lee and Haines Fleshman, who arrived together to pick up their diplomas for health care administration, got a little emotional. “It’s safe and still recognizes the hard work that all of the graduates put in.” She called the ceremony a good alternative. Holland Palmgren, who earned a doctor of nursing practice degree with a family nurse practitioner concentration, arrived in an SUV with the words “corona class” written on the side. I appreciate it.” A sign serves as a reminder of the circumstances surrounding the unusual ceremony - and the determination of students and faculty to honor everyone's hard work. Another student arrived on a bicycle.Ĭollege of Pharmacy graduate Travone Lumsden played it low-key, riding through in his car as he acknowledged the strangeness of the event. One student peeked out of a window from the back of a Cadillac Escalade limousine so long that it couldn’t make the turn to get to the diploma pick-up – she had to get out and walk there. ![]() One red convertible sported a huge mortarboard on its hood. ![]() Some went all-out decorating their cars and trucks. Some students wore regular clothes others dressed in graduation caps and gowns. ![]() Brittney Parsons has a van full of enthusiastic supporters on hand as she gets ready to receive a doctor of nursing practice diploma. The coronavirus pandemic forced the cancellation of MUSC’s traditional commencement ceremony, but it couldn’t keep people from celebrating the achievements of students from MUSC’s six colleges: Dental Medicine, Graduate Studies, Health Professions, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy. It meant the world to us,” Cameron said afterward. “We’re so glad that y’all were able to do this. But the Medical Scientist Training Program graduate made the most of it, standing up with his arms raised through the sunroof as he arrived in the parking lot of the Wellness Center at the Medical University of South Carolina to pick up his diploma in a drive-through ceremony. Instead of walking across a stage to receive his diploma, Robert Cameron rolled up in an SUV.
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