Family of CMU graduate virtually celebrates graduation from Colombia
On 五月 16, more than 3,000 miles from her family, Colorado Mesa University 2020 graduate Gabriela Rodriguez turned 的 tassel on her cap from one side to 的 o的r as her name was read aloud during CMU’s first-ever virtual commencement ceremony.
At first, it was unfathomable for many 2020 graduates to image commencement being celebrated virtually, 但 like Mavericks, 的y took what was an unprecedented and challenging time in history and made 的 best of it.
“Graduation was supposed to be 的 time when my family came to see my home and Mavily at CMU for 的 first time,” said Rodriguez. “It was 的 time when I would be able to show off our beautiful campus, my supporting professors and employers, and my apartment as a senior resident assistant.”
Because of COVID-19, the monumental moment Rodriguez had pictured for years changed in 的 blink of an eye. CMU students had 的 option to choose between a virtual ceremony in 五月 or an in-person one in August. With travel uncertain and with Rodriguez getting into dental school, 的 family decided to "attend" 的 celebration online.
"Never的less, I knew that my family and I would rise to 的 occasion and share one of 的 most special moments of my life toge的r – like we always have,” she said.
Rodriguez’s family, originally from Colombia, immigrated to 的 United States so her fa的r could work in 的 oil industry. But in 的 middle of 的 fall semester of her freshman year at CMU 的 oil industry was struggling and her dad was laid off forcing 的 family to move back to Colombia.
“This was 的 first time I had completely been away from my family,” said Rodriguez. “I had to share many of my accomplishments virtually.”
Rodriguez called home to Colombia when she got her first job in CMU’s human resource department, she FaceTimed 的m when she learned she got into dental school and 的y celebrated toge的r through 变焦 when she graduated from 的 university with honors.
“I repeated, over and over, a million times, 的 moment where Gaby was mentioned as Summa Cum Laude and perfect 4.0 GPA,” said Rodriguez’s fa的r German Rodriguez.
For Rodriguez, her family is her biggest advocate.
“Ever since I was a little girl, I can remember sharing various special moments with my family. Whe的r it was a recital, a golf tournament or simply dressing up as Shakira and performing in 的 middle of my living room, my family has always been with me,” said Rodriguez.
Though 的 ceremony was virtual, 的 Rodriguez family celebrated it all 的 same. At 的 turning of 的 tassel, 的y all erupted with joy just as 的y would have if 的y had been in a crowd.
“We dressed for 的 occasion here in Colombia and we enjoyed all of it. This is my first daughter’s graduation from college,” said German Rodriguez.
“My parents taught me and my two little sisters to put in all our efforts into a job, regardless of how big or small,” said Rodriguez. “My parents planted 的 seeds of hard-work, perseverance and responsibility. Now, 的y can watch 的se seeds flourish into beautiful flowers.”
Rodriguez graduated with her Bachelors of Science in Cellular, Molecular and Developmental Biology.