Hundreds of WSCC graduates participate in drive-thru graduation celebration

 HANCEVILLE, ALA. – Hundreds of graduates from the Class of 2020 at Wallace State Community College drove through campus Thursday morning to celebrate graduating from the college. An estimated 400 were greeted by cheering faculty and staff donning masks before stopping to receive a diploma cover and tassel from Wallace State President Dr. Vicki Karolewics.  

“Today was full of joy,” said Dr. Karolewics. “Our graduates appeared so grateful to have the opportunity to drive through and have something placed in their hand that they had worked so hard for. It was fun to see the family units drive by and see everyone share in the moment. It was a beautiful, special day.  

“This group of graduates probably deserves more than a diploma,” she added. “They deserve a medal after all they’ve endured this semester. We were overjoyed to see them again and to celebrate their accomplishments.” 

Cars started lining up on College Drive shortly before 10 a.m., many with family, friends and even pets in tow, to mark the occasion on what would have been the eve of their original graduation date.   

Many expressed their thanks as Dr. Karolewics, wearing a handmade orange and blue mask, greeted each student. Their names and programs were announced before approaching the president to pose for a photograph from their cars as Pomp and Circumstance played from the sound system.  

Dr. Karolewics noted the full community college spectrum was represented during the celebration, from mothers with children, parent-and-child duos, veterans, Fast Track Academy and dual enrollment students, and more. 

“Today was meaningful because it described the community college story,” she said.

Each student was encouraged to celebrate in their own unique way, and many cars were decorated with Wallace State orange and blue, posters, balloons and more.  Masks varied from the traditional to mascot-style masks.

The line stretched along College Drive before turning into the parking lot of the Burrow Center for the Fine and Performing Arts and kept moving for an hour and a half. Nursing graduates made a second stop at the School of Nursing and Center for Science to receive special gifts for their accomplishments. Participants were also provided a free Chick-fil-A sandwich as they left to more cheers of congratulations.    

Wallace State is scheduled to hold commencement exercises on Friday, July 31, at 6 p.m., in the Traditions Bank Arena at Tom Drake Coliseum. The ceremony was originally planned for Friday, May 8, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Registration for the Summer 2020 is underway, with classes set to begin on May 20. For more information, visit www.wallacestate.edu or call 256.352.8000.