From Masks to Mortarboards: Class of 2024 on Four Unique Years
When the Boston University Class of 2024 began their college journey nearly four years ago, no one knew what to expect. The nation, and the world, was still in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a letter to the BU community just weeks before their arrival, Robert A. Brown, then BU president, wrote: “Life on campus will not look or be the same as it was last fall.”
What the freshmen encountered was a world of mandatory mask-wearing and testing, strict social distancing, and a hybrid learning model, known as Learn from Anywhere, that provided in-person and remote learning options. Even in the dining halls, it was grab and go. Students struggled with the isolation imposed by all the restrictions. The challenges were especially daunting for these freshmen, who had to grapple with how to make friends and launch their college careers under extraordinary conditions.
Yet, amid all the uncertainty, the Class of 2024 demonstrated remarkable resilience, quickly embracing online platforms for social interaction and discovering innovative ways to stay connected with one another.
In May 2024, as they prepared to graduate from BU, the Class of 2024 looked forward to a celebratory Commencement—something most of them had to forego as high school seniors. As they gathered with family and friends on Nickerson Field, they carried with them lessons learned, friendships forged, and the fighting spirit that has marked their four years here.
