MOUNT OLIVE— More than 350 students graduated from the University of Mount Olive over the weekend during three ceremonies.
It was the first in-person commencement at the institution in over a year. The ceremonies were held by school with each graduate receiving two non-transferable guest tickets to ensure social distancing. UMO President Dr. H. Edward Croom said, “Even with the social distancing and masks, we can still feel the excitement and enthusiasm in the air. This is a good day—a ‘day that the Lord has made, and we will rejoice and be glad in it,” he said. Croom went on to tell the graduates, “I suspect that when you started your degree programs, it felt like a long time ago. But you stayed with it and now have a well-deserved sense of accomplishment. Be proud of your achievement, just as we are proud of you.” Each graduate took the stage to receive his or her diploma cover. Following the ceremony, graduates participated in the long-standing tradition of processing through the Alumni Crosswalk to mark the end of one journey and the beginning of another. Families waited and watched with laughter, tears, flowers, balloons, and most of all, pride in their loved ones' hard-earned accomplishments. “It has been a good weekend,” said Croom. “A very good weekend!” Photos of the weekend ceremonies can be found here. The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University is sponsored by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists. For more information, visit www.umo.edu.