Convocation Ritual Resumes, Despite Pandemic

The Class of 2015 holding their hoods during a group selfie

Last year, RSDM -- and schools all over the world-- dispensed with the usual pomp of graduation season and held virtual convocation ceremonies.

Although the event will happen online again, this year, it’s somewhat hybrid. Students, dressed in caps and gowns, participated in dental school’s most meaningful graduate ritual: a live hooding ceremony that was filmed last month by RyArMo Photography Studio. Footage will be shown at the virtual graduation program on May 19.

“This class has been through so much with the pandemic, through both their third and fourth year. We wanted to make it as close to real life as we could,'' said Vice Dean Kim Fenesy.

A committee of 2021 class representatives, including Mary Camarano, Mahira Tamboo and George Scheider, helped guide the event planning with their input, said Dr. Fenesy.

“They wanted to know, is there a way we could get hooded so our families could see,’’ she explained.

The answer was yes.

The online celebration will begin at 10 am. on 5/19. A link will be sent to invitees within a day or two of the event.