Thousands of Ohio State students prepare for graduation
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Thousands of students will graduate from Ohio State University on Sunday.
Graduation is already an exciting time for seniors but this year is extra special because for some students it will be their first true graduation ceremony. Many of them began college at the height of the pandemic and now they are celebrating making it through this unconventional journey.
“I’m so excited to experience that and experience all the craziness of the day,” said Leigha Schumaker, senior at Ohio State University.
“Six feet apart” was the motto for Schumaker and her peers when graduating high school. The pandemic sent college students home and high school students online in the spring of 2020. When they returned to the classroom, they were still met with many restrictions.
“It was so difficult to make friends. We were barely allowed to leave our dorm rooms,” Schumaker said.
Music education student, Matthew Burns, is graduating after seven years at Ohio State. He said campus never really returned to normal when they got back.
“Knowing what things were like before COVID and then coming back everyone was sort of in a shell, feeling stuck,” said Burns.
Fast forward four years later and the high school class of 2020 will finally get their first ceremony without masks and social distancing.
“It is really cool to be able to celebrate with so many people that went through the same thing,” said Colby Van Gorp, senior at Ohio State University.
The students agreed that while they enjoyed their time in school, they do feel like the pandemic left lasting effects on their education.
“Our education may be a little behind,” said Van Gorp.
For fifth year student Nick Denino, he was just getting comfortable his freshman year when suddenly he was sent home.
“The routine was just get out of bed, sign into zoom and maybe take a nap later. It was a hard time but we got through it,” said Denino.
All of them say they’re just grateful to finally get the true graduation experience.
“It has been a long time coming and I’m just excited to get this opportunity,” Denino said.
Graduation is at Ohio Stadium at 12 p.m. on Sunday. For those unable to attend, the ceremony will be streamed here.