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Graduation now in April so more students can march
Jacarandas are flowering but will not frame photos of graduates this year as Avondale moves its ceremony away from December so more students can march.
The rescheduled date for graduation 2021 is Sunday, April 10, 2022.
Coronavirus (COVID-19)-related restrictions and a response to them that emphasised safety and equity is the reason for the rescheduling. “Lockdown meant some students with face-to-face practical components couldn’t complete their course in time for a December graduation,” says Vice-Chancellor Professor Kevin Petrie. “And the uncertainly about international and domestic travel, particularly between states in Australia, would also have made it difficult for some students and their families to attend.”
Graduation class co-president Megan Hunter sees the silver living of a rescheduled ceremony. Graduation can be bittersweet, she says. While finishing a course is worthy of celebrating, “it’s sad leaving friends. This ceremony will be a happy one, though, because we’ll be coming back to see friends again.”
With state governments closing their borders to prevent the spread of COVID, Megan returned to Western Australia in July to complete her ministry and theology degree at home. Then she received a call to serve as associate pastor of the Livingston Seventh-day Adventist Church. So, finding the time to return for graduation is a little more difficult. “While I like having a singular focus, I do miss having a couple of months off every so often.”
Megan is excited about marching and receiving her testamur. “We completed our courses in a difficult time, so this is a celebration we’ve earned.”
The celebration will span the weekend and include a Friday evening consecration service, a Saturday morning worship service, and three Sunday ceremonies in Avondale University Seventh-day Adventist Church.
More than 320 graduands so far are eligible to march.
While campus will be quiet this Sunday (December 12), academics and staff members in Student Administration Services have been using the date as the deadline for finalising grades and confirming correct units and specialisations. Students who are course complete will receive a letter confirming this on Monday (December 13), which they can present to professional registration bodies if needed. Students who are not course complete will receive their letter at the point of completion. All students will receive their testamurs during the graduation ceremony.
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