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NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The University of the Bahamas (UB) graduation ceremony next week is expected to be one of the largest since the pandemic began, with more than 600 graduates of the Class of 2022 completing their studies under extraordinary circumstances.
After a two-year suspension of in-person graduation ceremonies due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the University at Buffalo will resume in-person graduation ceremonies with the approval of the health department. However, a major difference is that stricter health measures will be implemented to protect graduates, the university community, supporters of the graduation ceremony and the public attending the graduation ceremony.
Dr. Rodney Smith, president of the University at Buffalo, said that during these challenging and turbulent times, UB graduates have demonstrated exceptional strength and perseverance in the face of adversity and have remained focused on preparing for a dynamic global society.
“I am especially proud that the classes of 2020 and 2021, although virtual, did not let an event that brought the world to a standstill stop them from pursuing their goals. They remained resilient and vigilant, just like this remarkable class of 2022,” noted Dr. Smith.
Danavio Neely, a Bachelor of Education student and class president, said he was glad to finally resume graduation activities in the traditional way because students have been longing for their moment to shine.
“This is an emotional moment not only for me but for this graduating class, considering this is the first in-person graduation since the COVID-19 pandemic. Personally, I do not take this milestone lightly because this was the dream of my mother, who is no longer with us, and I will continue to honor her legacy,” said Danavio.
“On behalf of the graduates, we are extremely grateful to the University, and especially the Ceremonies and Events Committee, for their tremendous help in making this in-person graduation possible. We cannot express enough how grateful we are to all the faculty and staff.”
A highlight of the ceremony was the posthumous awarding of an honorary doctorate degree from the University to the late Arthur Dionne Hanna, one of the founders of the independence movement, Bahamian patriot and avid supporter of higher education. The decision was made by the UB Board of Trustees on the recommendation of the Academic Council.
Mr Hanna’s daughter, the Honourable Glenys Hanna Martin, Minister of Education and Technical Vocational Training, will accept the award on his behalf and deliver the commencement address at the ceremony to be held at the Thomas Robinson National Stadium.
The Spring 2022 graduating class is comprised of graduates who completed their academic program in the summer and fall of 2021 and the spring of 2022. The theme for this year’s commencement activities is “We Survived, Now We Thrive: Success in Adversity.” Activities include the Faculty Ordination Ceremony, the Nursing and Allied Health Professions Ordination and Awards Ceremony on May 24, the Baccalaureate Ceremony on May 25, and the Commencement Ceremony on May 26. For the UB-North campus in Grand Bahama, activities include the Baccalaureate Ceremony on May 30, the Faculty Ordination and Awards Ceremony on May 31, and the Commencement Ceremony on June 1.
This year’s graduation ceremony will also be Dr. Smith’s last as president, as his term ends at the end of July 2022.
The graduating class will join a community of more than 20,000 UB alumni who are becoming leaders, change-makers and innovators in a wide range of industries in The Bahamas and around the world. Graduates come from disciplines such as business, tourism, hospitality, culinary arts and leisure management, nursing and allied health professions, mathematics, physics and technology, chemistry environmental and life sciences, communications and creative arts, English studies, education, small island sustainability and social sciences.
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