MAY 26, 2020 — Roadrunner Nation honored its love of tradition over the weekend, holding virtual Commencement events that adhered to physical distancing measures but still celebrated each of the 4,984 Roadrunners graduating. Those efforts included the new Commencement Drive on May 22 and virtual Commencement on May 23 and 24.
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg joined UTSA President Taylor Eighmy and Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Kimberly Andrews Espy in addressing the Class of 2020.
Nirenberg acknowledged the diligence and dedication of the graduates, noting that many were working jobs and caring for children and family members as they were studying, taking exams and writing research papers. He also gave a shout-out to those who have already stepped into leadership roles in the wake of the pandemic.
“I know that you had hoped to be in the Alamodome for today’s Commencement and that the delay of your in-person ceremony is a disappointment,” Nirenberg said. “Though we’re not able to gather together physically—to keep your family, friends and loved ones all safe—it in no way diminishes your tremendous accomplishment of earning a degree from UTSA. Together today as you watch from home, I want you all to know that we’re cheering for you. Your family, friends and the entire city of San Antonio celebrate you.”
“You have all worked hard to reach this goal in an unprecedented fashion.”
Both Eighmy and Espy stressed that the university still plans to safely gather as one community to celebrate the Class of 2020’s accomplishments in the future. “I hope we get to do this again when I can shake your hand as you walk across the stage in the Alamodome,” Eighmy said.
The president would go on to recognize the personal accomplishments of the graduating class and call on them to use their Roadrunner education to create a brighter future. “Today is the beginning of the rest of your life,” Eighmy said. “You’ve made it this far. You’ve been trained, prepared and mentored to be able to go out and change the world and make it a better place.”
Espy added that UTSA’s faculty, staff, university administrators and the Roadrunner community took great pride in the persistence, ingenuity and unrelenting drive of the graduates. “You have all worked hard to reach this goal in an unprecedented fashion,” she said.
Of the graduating spring and summer classes, 3,949 students received their bachelor’s degrees, 938 earned master’s degrees, and 97 obtained doctoral degrees.
The Saturday morning event honored the 143 graduates of the College of Architecture, Construction and Planning, the 327 graduates of the College of Public Policy and the 1,308 graduates of the College of Business. The Saturday afternoon event honored the 114 graduates of University College and the 1,310 graduates of the College of Liberal and Fine Arts. The Sunday morning event honored the 390 graduates of the College of Engineering, the 584 graduates of the College of Sciences and the 808 graduates of the College of Education and Human Development.
The virtual events included a tribute video titled “Now and Forever…” featuring a message from Alumni Association President William Di Filippo, followed by a photo montage and a recorded performance by Mariachi Los Paisanos. Each virtual commencement also gave viewers the option to watch the procession of graduates as a whole or to simply search for their individual names to be read aloud. Graduates and their loved ones were encouraged to share their home celebrations on UTSA’s social media platforms.
