Seniors typically line the stairs of the President’s House on the evening of the last day of classes. With hors d’oeuvres in hand, they gather in the foyer, dining area, and kitchen as they mingle with fellow classmates, professors, staff members, and the president and first lady.

The annual wine and cheese event is the soon-to-be-graduates’ time to reflect on their past four years at PC.

This year’s event was held on Friday, May 1. The president and first lady, Bob and Phyllis Staton, and a few staff members were the only ones in the President’s House.

The event was held virtually this year because of the pandemic. Seniors and staff members joined via Google Meet: They greeted one another as their faces showed up on computer screens.

President Staton noted the seniors’ absence.

“The saddest part is looking up the steps, and you’re not on the steps tonight like you usually are,” President Staton said. “We miss you. It’s not the same place without you.”

The president said campus, as a whole, hasn’t been the same since students had to begin remote learning in March. He spoke briefly about how the coronavirus pandemic has affected the College, including the seniors’ last semester on campus.

“None of this is anything that any of us wanted to have,” he said.

Before toasting the Class of 2020, the president spoke about the seniors’ legacy.

“Your class will always be remembered because of the circumstances that occurred during the last semester of your time at PC,” he said.

“But you’ll also be known for how you adapted to unexpected circumstances. These will happen to you in life too. This will be a big learning lesson for helping you prepare for those other lessons that come along.”

Then, President Staton, along with Mrs. Staton, raised a toast to the Class of 2020.

“We’re proud of you,” President Staton said. “We wish you the best as you go out into the world.”

Cheers to the Class of 2020

Professors and staff members also gave a toast to the Class of 2020 in a video that was shown after President Staton’s toast. Check out “Cheers to the Class of 2020” to hear the words of encouragement professors and staff members passed along to graduating seniors.