Relive: Lead-up to Graduation

May 28, 2019

Relive: Lead-up to Graduation

The weeks leading up to graduation are an exciting time for students as they finish their final exams, don their new pins and white coats, pick up their caps and gowns, and attend to the celebrations of their success and the next phase of their lives. Follow along in this photo essay and relive those celebratory events leading up to the 2019 commencement ceremonies.

Kicking things off on Saturday, May 11 was the Physician Assistant Class of 2020 White Coat Ceremony. The group received their white coats, symbolizing the completion of the penultimate phase of their education.

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On Wednesday May 15, seniors were treated to life on the water with a Miss Buffalo Cruise. Students enjoyed dinner and a sunset over the water as they cruised along the Niagara River.

A male and female student smile for the camera while standing on the deck of a boat

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On Thursday, May 16, students enjoyed the Taps ‘n Caps event at Community Beers Works. The laid-back atmosphere allowed students to relax before the big weekend with faculty and staff and make sure their caps looked good! Check some of them out here.

Close-up of a girl's hands applying lace to a decorated mortorboard. The text on the mortarboard says "I WINED a Lot but I did it!", and is accompanied by a picture of a wine glass.

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On Friday, May 17, U.S. Air Force Captain Jessica Tait, who served as this year’s commencement speaker, took a tour of Riverworks and participated in a team bonding activity with members from D’Youville’s Student Veterans Association.

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The inaugural TGIF (Thank Goodness I’m Finished) event took place later that night in the College Center gym. Students, family, and friends enjoyed music, games, great food and even left some parting impacts in each other’s lives on the bumper car course.

Students "making an impact" on each other by colliding their bumper cars.

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Captain Tait gave a talk to a small group of Girl Scouts and members of the D'Youville community in D'Youville's new Institute for Teaching Innovation space. She discussed her experiences, her message to young women, and talked about the process she goes through when taking photos and how she connects to her subjects.

A woman dressed in camo talks with three women in a sitting room with glass walls

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Seniors in the Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) program received their pins at a ceremony at Holy Angels Church. Students enjoyed congratulatory remarks from D'Youville President Lorrie Clemo. Jonvier Whittington '19 served as the student speaker while Samantha Cohen ‘19 recited the History of the Pin.

Five women and one man, dressed in matching red and white scrubs, pose with long stem roses in a church

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Later that evening, the Occupational Therapy White Coat Ceremony was held at the Creekside Banquet Facility. Seniors in the program received the white coats they will wear as they move on to their professional careers.

Two gold foil balloons in the shape of the letters "O" and "T" float in front of a large, paneled mirror. A chandelier hangs above them.

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Legacy graduates along with their family members who also call D’Youville their alma mater enjoyed the Legacy Family Reception with President Clemo and 2019 commencement speaker, U.S. Air Force Captain Jessica Tait.

A young, African American man stands with an older African American woman while a party goes on in the background. Both of them are smiling and wearing professional-looking clothes and nametags.

If you are a new alum who is interested in staying connected with other alums, the Office of Alumni Engagement is your source for news, events, and your new benefits. Learn more about your new alumni benefits.

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On Sunday, May 19, prior to the graduate commencement ceremony, the School of Pharmacy held its annual luncheon celebration in the Kuhrt Dining Hall in College Center.

About a dozen young men and women wearing white coats and dresses or ties, seated in rows and looking at something out of frame

Congratulations to the Class of 2019. Stay tuned for photos from graduation!