This weekend marks the dates in which UTRGV’s class of 2020 would have walked across the stage and step into the real world. However, last month due to the new coronavirus, the UT system postponed all commencement ceremonies for the Spring semester. Although there is no presential ceremony, graduating students are continuing some of UTRGV’s traditions.
Associate Vice-President for University Marketing & Communications Patrick Gonzales explains one of UTRGV’s biggest graduation traditions.
The memory stole… gets presented to the person that really helped the student or supported the student through their academic journey.
Gonzales says that decorating caps is also tradition within Vaqueros. Psychology Senior Isamar Rivas says she will decorate her graduation cap to honor her late grandparents.
I am actually going to decorate my cap with something for [my parents]. I am going to write something for them on my cap and put a picture with both of my grandparents on it.
The first-generation senior says she will celebrate with a cookout with her immediately family, since they live in the same household.
On the other hand, Biomedical Senior Samantha Garcia says she will more likely celebrate via a Zoom meeting.
I don’t live with my mom at the moment. I am probably looking into a Zoom celebration with all of my family. We have to work with what we have.
García decorated her cap at home with Rosie The Riveter with the Vaqueros logo on the collar, she explains what the cap means to her.
To me, like, my cap is the overall summary of my UTRGV career.
Gonzales says that graduating students should still celebrate their academic achievement.
This achievement is no less celebrated just because we don’t have a commencement. We still feel that they have been adequately trained to go out into the real world and really make a difference.
From all of us at Vaquero Radio, congratulations to the graduating class of 2020.
Reporter Samantha Garza
