“Congratulations, fellow classmates and the class of 2021, we did it,” said Gabrielle Hackley, one of two graduates to speak during the ceremony.

Hackley and the other speakers did not address a gymnasium packed with graduates and their families, however. Despite all the traditional features, the 2021 commencement ceremony was a virtual one. All of the speeches were recorded in advance. The final presentation featuring photos of all the graduates along with the music and speeches debuted Thursday evening. It can be viewed at www.iowacentral.edu/graduation2021.

It was the college’s 54th commencement ceremony and the second one conducted in a virtual format as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hackley acknowledged the impact of the pandemic on the class of 2021.

RUTH CHALSTROM, left, of Moorland, and Gabrielle Hackley, of Clarion, posed together during the virtual commencement ceremony. Both of them addressed their fellow graduates.

“Through an ongoing world pandemic, you continued to show up for yourself and your education,” she told her fellow graduates. “No matter how much this journey has challenged you, prepared you and even shaped you, I just want to tell you that I am proud of you, from one classmate to another. Together, we did it.”

Class President Ruth Chalstrom acknowledged one of the impacts COVID-19 had on her college career while thanking many people during her speech.

“Thank you tech department for holding the whole college together and navigating the problems we have faced with Zoom university,” she said.

“I think it’s important to recognize our hard work,” Chalstrom added. “The fact that we all are standing here today with a degree says something about us as students..”

She asked the graduates to think about how much stronger they are today because of the adversities they faced while getting their college educations in the midst of the pandemic.

“I feel confident going into the next chapter of my life because Iowa Central has made me the person that I am today,” she said.

The graduates also heard from someone who graduated from the college in 1992. James Roetman, the chief executive officer of Pocahontas Community Hospital, was one of the first radiologic technologists to graduate from Iowa Central.

“I challenge all of you to try to make an impact in the lives of the people you work with or live with every single day,” he said.

“I also ask that you look at the challenges that you face as you go out and begin your new careers as opportunities to not only make yourself better, but to also impact and improve whichever profession you are going into or whomever you will be employed by.”

During the commencement ceremony, the GoldenTriton Award was presented to Mike Richards, of Jefferson, who is an associate instructor of agriculture technology; and Laurie Sharpe, of Fort Dodge, who is a custodian.

The Golden Triton Award is presented every year to one faculty member and one staff member for excellent service to the students. The students select the winners.

The Iowa Central Vocal Jazz Ensemble sang the National Anthem, The Triton Singers sang “Thankful.”