At Long Last: College Holds 66th Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2020

After 18 long months, the St. John Fisher College Class of 2020 walked the stage for their official Commencement ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 18 during their first Alumni Weekend.

Fisher welcomed back 175 graduates for the ceremony, including 60 from the School of Arts and Sciences, 32 from the School of Business, 21 from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. School of Education, 45 from the Wegmans School of Nursing, and 17 from the Wegmans School of Pharmacy.

Dr. Gerard J. Rooney, president of the College, welcomed and thanked the class in his opening remarks. “I am personally thankful to you for your understanding, patience, and resiliency in the months leading up to today,” he said. “We are overjoyed to have you back on campus so we can be together to properly celebrate your achievements and your time with us at Fisher.”

Three faculty members were also formally recognized for the awards they would have otherwise received at the May 2020 ceremony. They included Dr. Lipika Chablani, associate professor of pharmacy, the recipient of the Trustees’ Distinguished Scholar Award; Dr. Sara Goodman, assistant professor of psychology, recipient of the Undergraduate Award for Teaching Excellence; and Dr. Shannon Cleverley-Thompson, chair and visiting assistant professor of the Executive Leadership program, who was presented with the Graduate Award for Teaching Excellence.

Class of 2020 President Ranita Williams had a second chance to deliver remarks to her classmates and she highlighted the successes of the recent graduates and the impact COVID-19 had on their early career journey. “Class of 2020, I am proud to say that we chose not to be reduced by circumstances that appeared to be uncontrollable: indeed, we kept moving forward, Fisher strong - fortified with goodness, discipline, and knowledge.”

In closing out the ceremony, Rooney offered lasting advice to the Class of 2020. “As college graduates, you have the ability to affect positive changes where you live and work, to take on influential roles, and to help shape your communities based on the knowledge and principles you’ve refined during your time at Fisher.”