Elgin Community College president and graduates rock #DontRush Challenge

Elgin Community College president and graduates from the class of 2020 took their minds off the reality of the COVID-19 crisis to have a little fun with ECC's take on the popular #DontRush challenge, which features students who appear on camera for a few seconds dressed in their everyday attire and then magically transitions into their cap and gowns to make a statement.

"We wanted to create an opportunity to feature some of our graduates, their creativity, and illustrate how they have literally transformed from student to graduate right before our eyes," said Toya Webb, EdD, chief marketing and communications officer. "However, as seamless as it may appear on video, we also recognize that their success did not come without grit, sweat, and tears. While we are all disappointed by how this pandemic has upended our plans to celebrate our graduates this spring, we still honor them for their fortitude and perseverance."

ECC's spring commencement ceremonies, originally scheduled for Saturday, May 16, have been postponed to a date to be determined in the fall. Data from a survey sent to graduates revealed that students preferred an in-person ceremony as opposed to a virtual ceremony.

"We believe that our graduates should have a say in the matter, said ECC President David Sam, PhD., JD, LLM, who also appears in the video "The ceremony recognizes their hard work and determination. As we plan a future celebration, it will still depend on a number of factors, including information outlined in the Restore Illinois Plan, social distancing recommendations by the CDC and guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health. Our students deserve to be celebrated and we will certainly do so at the appropriate time and manner."

Watch ECC's #DontRush video at facebook.com/ElginCommunityCollege and give a shout out to the spring class of 2020.