Community Colleges Host ODU Graduates at Local Ceremonies

What happens at commencement when you take your classes online?  Some students choose to come to ODU’s Norfolk campus to walk with the rest of their class at the Ted Constant Convocation Center.  Other graduates, however, may not have that luxury.  Enter the University’s Virginia Community College network.  Because of the long-standing, strong partnerships ODU has with Virginia community colleges, those students who earn their degree online yet cannot attend the ODU commencement exercises in Norfolk are welcomed by their local community colleges to participate in their respective ceremonies. 

This May, that was the case for seven ODU graduates who walked in the graduation ceremonies at Wytheville Community College, Mountain Empire Community College, and Southwest Virginia Community College. Attending the Wytheville Community College's (WCC) graduation ceremony, ODUOnline graduates, Jaime Williams, Zachary Meadows, and Megan Kaulfuss joined those getting degrees from Wytheville in participating in WCC graduation festivities. 

At Mountain Empire Community College’s graduation ceremony, ODU graduate Mike Gilley was hooded by Dr. Mitch Williams, the program chair for the online doctoral program in Community College Leadership.

Williams also traveled this month to Southwest Virginia Community College’s graduation ceremony, where Teresa Yearout participated in commencement exercises.  Williams has consistently made it a point to travel from ODU to hood his students no matter where the ceremony may occur.  Between Williams’ dedication and the commitment of community college comrades across Virginia, ODUOnline graduates certainly are well feted!

Congratulations to all our 2017 graduates!