UA Celebrates Special Connection with Spring 2020 Class

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The 6,500 spring graduates at The University of Alabama may not walk across the stage as planned Saturday, but they’re receiving special recognition of their accomplishments in a unique way.

Each received a custom message that includes a touching tribute video. The message and video are a way to acknowledge the special achievements of this class as the campus community looks forward to celebrating them in person at this summer’s commencement ceremonies.

A special connection with graduates has been made through a tribute video, a video message from UA President Stuart Bell and outreach across UA social media channels. Also, many colleges, schools and departments have reached out to graduates to celebrate their achievements.

“No matter where students are as they finish the semester, they are an important and special part of our UA family,” said Bell. “As they finish the semester strong, we want them to know that we are right here cheering them on. I look forward to congratulating each student on stage at our summer commencement.”

The spring 2020 class includes 4,893 applicants for bachelor’s degrees, 1,148 applicants for master’s and other graduate degree, and nearly 100 applicants for a doctoral degree.

Graduates come from nearly every county in Alabama, all 50 states and 24 countries. Half of the students receiving a bachelor’s degree earned Latin honors.

Some graduating senior highlights include:

• Alexus Cumbie, political science and business management graduate from Birmingham, who, among her many achievements, was selected by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation to serve as an intern on Capitol Hill for the second time as a legislative and press assistant with the office of Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Alabama.
• John Glidden III, aerospace engineering graduate from Closter, New Jersey, volunteering as an EMT and at a drive-thru virus testing site in a suburb of New York City.
• Sumona Gupta, a New College graduate from Tuscaloosa, who helped create a UA student-run community program that tutors youth coming out of the juvenile justice system to earn a GED diploma.
• Anne Dillon Loflin, music theatre graduate from Huntsville, who began a program teaching dance to students in UA’s CrossingPoints, a post-secondary transition program for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
• Sarah Rickenbacker, a distance learning student in nursing from Johnson City, Tennessee, who found inspiration and support in her 11 children.

To see a full, searchable list of graduates, visit the UA News Center.