Graduating seniors in the College of Arts & Sciences were unable to gather on West Plaza for Commencement on Saturday, May 9. Neither could graduating pharmacy students gather in Belk Auditorium for the Hooding Ceremony on Friday, May 8.

Since the ceremonies have been postponed due to the pandemic, President Bob Staton ’68 delivered special video messages to graduates on what would have been Commencement Weekend.

“One of the things that has come out of this is you’ve had to adapt,” he said. “We’ve had to adapt. We’ve had to finish a semester differently than we’ve ever done before, but we’ve done it. You’ve done it.

“That’s an important lesson that you can take with you in life, a lesson that shows — as you go out into a world that’s going to change drastically in the coming years — that you’re capable of adjusting, adapting and functioning in that environment. Take that comfort with you as you go forward.”

He told graduates to remember to thank those who supported them along the way.

“Everyone at PC wishes you great success and congratulations on this big accomplishment,” he said. “We look forward to how you will impact the lives of others and our world as you go out and live out PC’s motto of, ‘While We Live, We Serve.’”

PC will confer degrees to a little more than 200 graduates from the College of Arts & Sciences and School of Pharmacy this year. The College also plans to celebrate their achievements during in-person ceremonies to be held at a later time.

Watch President Staton’s Final Addresses to Graduates

Please watch President Bob Staton address graduating seniors in the College of Arts & Sciences in this short video. President Staton also addresses graduating pharmacy students as they embark on their careers in this video.