Congratulations to the Class of 2020: FTC Winds Up!
Hats off and many congratulations to all the graduates of the Class of 2020!
The Five Towns College community extends heartfelt congratulations to our graduating seniors! It has been an absolute pleasure to get to know you and witness all of your accomplishments over the past four years. We wish you the very, very best and will always be here to support you as alumni. We will see you at the rescheduled Commencement . . . date still to be determined.
As we all know, the Spring 2020 semester has been challenging in epic proportions. The advent of a national emergency declaration and the coronavirus caused the campus to close its doors and send all students, faculty and staff home to work online without much warning. Nonetheless, this caused our FTC population to be spiraled into the world of online learning—scrambling to acclimate to working and learning in an environment soon to be mastered. Perhaps many viewed this event as creating a semester of lost opportunities and events. However, from another and more positive perspective, we would like to consider viewing the Spring Semester of 2020 in a different light.
For instance, students saw and interacted with classmates and professors online in a way that could never have been imagined. Personal connections were made, masterpieces were created, and music was composed. Common Hour Online presented a series of diverse interviews and insight into the intricacies of creative minds in different academic programs. Also, students learned tips and tricks from various instructors across disciplines and observed fellow students perform-exposing their vulnerabilities and sharing their expressive creations. Guests and alumni shared their stories about being college students and professional accomplishments as well.
The virtual campus can boast other successes, too, including: (1) Senior Theatre Showcase; (2) Sound Athletics admission of several new student athletes excited to represent the College on either the soccer, basketball or volleyball teams; (3) Film/Video students leading film screenings and critiquing fellow student projects; (4) Music Division and other students’ vocal and instrumental performances by the Gospel Choir, Jazz Orchestra and Ensembles; and (4) Mass Communication students continuing to research, write and report on current events and post on social media.
Undoubtedly, this semester has had logistical obstacles. However, Five Towns College students, faculty and staff demonstrated incredible agility and the competency to master these difficulties. We are all very grateful to the entire community for rising to the challenge successfully!!
In a time when everything has come to a standstill, our College community has pushed forward . . . growing personally, professionally and proudly. As this semester comes to a close, FTC students didn’t just finish but became stronger, smarter and overcame a challenge of a lifetime. The Five Towns College Board of Trustees, President David Cohen and the entire administration sends their appreciation and good luck wishes to all for a safe and healthy summer and future!
We will miss you!!! Stay well and safe . . . and, we look forward to seeing you soon!!
