Virtual Oath Ceremony Continues PVM Commencement Tradition Tomorrow

Friday, May 15, 2020

There’s a time for gaining respect and a time for showing respect, and those two realities will converge tomorrow (Saturday, May 16) as the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine hosts a virtual version of its traditional Oath Ceremony for the DVM and Veterinary Nursing Class of 2020. The Facebook Live event for graduates and their families and loved ones begins at 1:00 p.m. tomorrow. Eligible participants, including PVM faculty and staff, must join the Facebook group, “PVM Graduation Celebration,” by noon (EDT) tomorrow to be able to view the event. After that time, the Group will be changed to private for the start of the program.

With a combination of creativity, technology, careful planning, and perseverance, a team of College faculty and staff organized the virtual PVM Graduation Celebration to ensure that the College could give the graduates the recognition they deserve, even though the COVID-19 pandemic prompted cancellation of the traditional commencement exercises. In preparation for tomorrow’s live-stream, the College sent each of the graduates a commencement package that contained everything needed for the celebration.

The virtual ceremony will include all the key components of the traditional Oath Ceremony that normally would be held in the Purdue Memorial Union, including the recitation of the Veterinarians Oath and Veterinary Technician Oath of Ethical Conduct and messages from representatives of the IVMA, the IVTA, and class responders. Additionally, in lieu of the hooding of DVM graduates that traditionally would have happened during the University commencement ceremony at the Elliott Hall of Music, the Graduation Celebration will feature a virtual hooding that recognizes each DVM graduate. There also will be a virtual pinning honoring the veterinary nursing graduates by showcasing the pin they receive to symbolize their entry into the veterinary nursing profession. Another element will be the listing of recipients of the awards that traditionally would be presented during the Graduation Gala on the evening before commencement.

All of the graduates are encouraged to don their regalia for the event and safely gather with family and loved ones (following appropriate social distancing guidelines) in their homes to participate via their Facebook account. PVM faculty and staff also are invited to show their support for the graduates by participating as well. Let us know you are online by posting in real time, and tag the College on graduation celebration social media posts @pucvm. Use #PVMGraduation so the College can share your photos on PVM’s Instagram account.

Graduates also can show their pride with a Facebook frame – just search for “PVM Graduation 2020.” For those graduates and their families who are not able to participate, a video link to a recording will be provided by private invitation after the event.

The College’s virtual Oath Ceremony goes hand-in-hand with the University’s on-demand virtual commencement exercises honoring the nearly 7,500 Boilermakers graduating this month. The University sent every degree candidate a Purdue-branded commencement box that included a diploma cover, commencement program, cord and/or medallion (if applicable), as well as other memorabilia.

The on-demand commencement ceremony can be accessed via a webpage portal at www.purdue.university/may2020, which houses specific online streaming details for each of six divisions (the College of Veterinary Medicine is recognized in Division III), with links to President Mitch Daniels’ address and remarks by student responders, along with congratulatory messages from the college deans, including Purdue Veterinary Medicine Dean Willie Reed. There also are a series of virtual photo backgrounds and filters so graduates can take pictures in their caps and gowns in front of popular campus landmarks like the Bell Tower and Gateway to the Future arch, as well as on the Elliott Hall of Music stage. Downloads to help create items like cake toppers, posters and yard signs to help graduates host a festive at-home celebration are provided as well.

Planning for the virtual ceremonies began right after President Daniels announced on March 17 that the University’s traditional May commencement exercises would not occur as in-person events, but that the graduates would still be honored with the best remote program. The result is an innovative way for the members of Purdue’s historic Class of 2020 to celebrate this next giant leap in their lives. The on-demand event is complete with the opportunity for all members of the Purdue Class of 2020 to hear their names called individually, hold diplomas, and wear caps and gowns. Purdue graduates can celebrate together on social media with #PurdueWeDidIt. Click here to view a video of the effort that went into creation of the on-demand commencement.

Writer(s): Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu