Syracuse University held its commencement ceremony Sunday morning with almost 6,500 students receiving degrees. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the last two years shaped a lot of students’ college careers.

“It’s been a crazy four years, so much has happened, not only on our campus but around the world.” Syracuse University graduate Bud Powar said.

“So much work, there was so much stress,” graduate Yaser Hernandez said. “You know, a lot of moments where I didn’t really think or know what the end was going to look like.” 

“And it was hard trying to study and continue a lot of times,” graduate Nathena Murray said. “So just finding those things to help me get here today was very vital especially these past two years with so much chaos going on.”  

Having a support system, especially these past two years has played a major part in the graduate’s lives. For Murray, it was her family and her pastor who traveled from Westchester County to support her on her big day.

“It wasn’t an easy journey,” pastor Judith R. Williams said. “But she persevered, she stayed in there. We encouraged her, we called her, we prayed for her. She even attended church school over Zoom during the course of this time. She has been a real soldier through this all and this is a huge accomplishment.” 

“So I’m just so thankful for all my family,” Murray said. “All my support for everything I have done from then until now has been because of them.”  

The journey has not been easy but the victory is being able to come together and celebrate in person.

“It’s really exciting to see everyone come together,” graduate Emily Bright said. “I feel like it’s a lot of interacting with families, a lot of hellos and nice to meet you. That’s really something we haven’t done in a long time.” 

“So many people helped us get to this point,” Powar said. “It’s not just a celebration of us but a celebration of everyone that’s helped us along the way.” 

For many grads, the tassel was worth the hassle.