Big Bend Planning Drive-Thru Graduation to Honor Class of 2021

MOSES LAKE — For the second consecutive year due to COVID-19 restrictions, Big Bend Community College will not be hosting a traditional graduation ceremony. However, it will be transitioning from the completely online format used in 2020 and moving to a drive-thru format held on the BBCC campus.

The drive-thru event will be held on June 18 between 4:30 and 6 p.m. and students will have the opportunity to interact with faculty and staff in-person while safely socially-distanced inside of their vehicles. Attendees will also have the opportunity to listen to graduation speeches and hear their names called through a special broadcast they can listen to through their car’s radio.

“We are looking forward to celebrating with our awesome graduates, aside from our traditional format,” said Director of Student Programs Kim Jackson. “It’s our goal to bring this great event to life by actually getting to congratulate our graduates, even it if means celebrating on the other side of the car door.”

Graduates will be given a specific time to arrive on campus to enter the graduation procession and proceed through four stations with faculty and staff lining the parade route. As the line progresses, each graduate will remain in their vehicles and will receive their diploma from Big Bend President Sara Thompson Tweedy and participating members of the Board of Trustees.

They will then continue on receiving a gift from the BBCC Alumni Office, a gift from the Associated Student Body, and finish with the opportunity to take a picture with Thor.

“There is no ‘virtual’ equivalent to putting a diploma in the hand of a student and I am delighted that each and every graduate can receive their hard-earned diploma in-person this year,” said Dr. Sara Thompson Tweedy. “My gratitude goes to the team at Big Bend Community College who have found a way to have a safe, in-person celebration.”

Official photos will be made available after the event on the college’s official Facebook page.