WVXU: College grads get their moment after missing high school graduation

WVXU spoke to members of the graduating spring class of 2024 at the University of Cincinnati about why commencement was more meaningful to them after missing their high school graduation four years ago to a global pandemic.

COVID-19 has killed nearly 1.2 million people in the United States since the first cases were diagnosed here in 2020. Health officials at the time recommended canceling most public events, including graduation ceremonies, to slow the spread of the virus.

WVXU spoke to students such as UC graduate Darl Jacob, whose high school canceled its graduation ceremony. Jacob, who attended high school in the United Arab Emirates, told WVXU that he was not permitted to enter the United States during the earliest pandemic lockdowns, so he took his first classes virtually with other UC students, albeit with an eight-hour time difference. 

But Jacob said he quickly made friends when UC resumed in-person classes. 

"They always made my day better," he told WVXU. "I never had a sad day just being around them. It's hard being away from home, but it's because of these people that I never felt bad."

Listen to the WVXU story.

Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Enquirer posted a photo gallery of UC's commencement, which featured the largest numbers of spring graduates and degrees awarded in UC history.

Featured image at top: UC celebrated commencement over four ceremonies at Fifth Third Arena. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand