Before this day, they were faces on a computer screen. So professors and staff greeting the graduating class of 2021 Friday at San Diego City College were seeing each other in person for the first time.
The community college held a drive-thru graduation for the second year in a row, but the nontraditional approach didn’t damper the excitement or pride.
“We’re excited to receive our students,” said City College President Ricky Shabazz. “It’s going to be a party. They deserve all of the accolades for the accomplishments.”
Before morning festivities started near Park Boulevard and C Street, Shabazz said: “This is an exciting day because many of us haven’t seen each other. Many of our faculty haven’t seen each other. The employees haven’t seen each other. And many of us haven’t seen the student in person.”
About 350 students registered to participate in San Diego City College’s drive-through 2021 commencement. Photo by Chris Stone 
A group of girls share a laugh in the backseat of a car carrying a San Diego City College graduate. Photo by Chris Stone 
A graduate touts her double duty achievement of being a mom and a student. Photo by Chris Stone 
Many graduates decorated their mortar boards to express to express their feelings. Photo by Chris Stone 
A graduate in City College’s drive-thru commencement expresses her relief after passing her classes. Photo by Chris Stone 
An Army recruiter passes out military literature during the drive-thru commencement event. Photo by Chris Stone 
Professors and staff greet graduates in their decorated cars at San Diego City College. Photo by Chris Stone 
Graduate Jade Benn, a journalism student, reacts to college employee Cesar Gumapas, who announced students’ names. Photo by Chris Stone 
Brianna Maza, a special education major, poses with her 6-month-old daughter Leah while college president Ricky Shabazz looks on. Photo by Chris Stone 
The graduating class of 2021 spent much of the last year interacting with their professors via Zoom sessions. Photo by Chris Stone 
A family member attaches a set of balloons to his truck before driving his graduate through the drive-thru event. Photo by Chris Stone 
Ferrero Rocher chocolates dot a graduate’s mortar board (with one suspiciously missing). Photo by Chris Stone 
Graduate Destini Gray attends the drive-thru commencement in style in a jacked up Impala lowrider. Photo by Chris Stone 
Professors and staff cheers for a line of 2021 graduates in a faculty parking lot at San Diego City College. Photo by Chris Stone 
A jeep donning a mortar board on the top of the cab is cheered by professors and staff at San Diego City College’s drive-thru graduation. Photo by Chris Stone 
Josiah Hughes, 12, and his aunt Ebony Tyree, an English professor, cheer for graduates at City College. Photo by Chris Stone 
Laneshia Christopher, a psychology major, (in front) has a van full of “Gradsquad” supporters with sparkling beverages to cheer her on. Photo by Chris Stone 
Maysaa Toma, an Arabic language professor, (center) and fellow professor, Yousra Qudeimat, cheer on the graduates. Photo by Chris Stone 
Tillie Chavez, vice president of instruction for City College, hands a letter of congratulations to a graduate in the drive-thru commencement event. Photo by Chris Stone 
Graduates touted universities they will attend next. Photo by Chris Stone 
Writing on car windshields and windows express the students accomplishments. Photo by Chris Stone 
Elbers Katula, a social work major, shows she gave it the old college try as she graduates from City College. Photo by Chris Stone
Most classes have been online in the San Diego Community College classes since March 2020.
About 350 students registered for the motor commencement in a faculty parking lot, Shabazz said.
An employee in a cart picked up trolley-riding students who didn’t have cars, so they could go past cheering professors and staff.
Some 500-600 students were expected to receive certificates and associate degrees from City College after all scores are tabulated next week.
Asked how he settled on a drive-thru graduation, Shabazz said: “We just think this is the safest way to do it given the circumstances. We’re just making the best of the pandemic.”
For Maysaa Toma, an Arabic language professor at City College and Grossmont College, the event had double meaning.
Toma graduated from college during the pandemic and was unable to celebrate her own graduation. This was her first semester teaching.
“I’m so excited. It’s like it’s my graduation,” she said. “It’s something to motivate students, to make them happy. It’s a great moment for them.”
Her colleague, Yousra Qudeimat, professor of Arabic and sociology, got used to teaching via Zoom, but prefers to teach in person.
“This is a beautiful arrangement,” Qudeimat said. “I know this is not the usual way, but it’s better than nothing.”
But before the event, she also said, “I am so excited. I’m looking forward to seeing my students finish from here and going to the universities. “
“It’s an awesome day,” Qudeimat said. “Go City College!”
