The graduating class of 2021 deserves a lot of kudos. To be certain, every college graduate works hard to achieve their degree. But, the class of 2021 has had to worry about more than late-night study sessions and passing their finals. Their college experience has been altered by events outside of their control.

For more than a year, we have been working through our pandemic response, which has turned the student experience upside down. Masks and social distancing are the new normal, many classes are held virtually, and there are fewer opportunities for students to engage in normal college activities. On top of that, a derecho ripped through campus this August, altering the calendar start date to the semester and the buildings where we were planning to hold class.

Many students would have been discouraged by so many factors against them, but our students have amazed me again and again with their resiliency and their can-do attitudes. They have approached each challenge the same way they will approach life after graduation: with a quiet resolve and a hopeful spirit. When it would have been easy to delay a year or quit altogether, these students have put their noses to the proverbial grindstones and have gotten it done, and done so with gusto.

We have students who have begun their collegiate journey with us and have been accepted by each of our state regent universities and many private colleges. These students are continuing their college careers further ahead because of the hands-on learning opportunities we were able to provide, and will excel at the next level. We have graduating students who are going straight to career that will succeed because of our targeted workforce training. We have students who have already joined the ranks of the healthcare community, and are serving an important need today.

It would be easy to congratulate our exceptional faculty and staff for adjusting quickly and working hard to serve the students. (And yes, our faculty and staff are amazing in every way!) But, I am tipping my cap to the students who have not only “weathered the storm,” but those who have bloomed because of it. Heartfelt congratulations to the class of 2021 – you are simply amazing, and will all hold a special place in our hearts for years to come.

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Robin Lilienthal is the provost for

Marshalltown Community College.