We asked alumni, faculty, and staff to share messages for the Class of 2020. Here are a few words of wisdom and congratulations from the NVU community to help you navigate your experiences beyond NVU.

• Enter to learn - go forth to serve. Congratulations! Julia Compagna
• Say yes more often than no. Do all the things, go to all the places, have experiences, make memories. Keep in touch with old friends and make new ones. Work hard but have fun. Don't be discouraged if you can't save the world. Learn to love yourself. Tell yourself not to take it too seriously. Things have a funny way of working out. Jen Frasier
• Every graduating class seemingly is always the most technologically advanced. With COVID, I'm guessing you're the best class in communicating using Zoom and the like! And probably best in creatively expressing yourself virtually!
  
  Use it your advantage! We look to you for whacky ideas and resourcefulness. Best of luck Class of 2020! Cegeon Chan
• 2020 will be a memory about change. It will become part of the story.
  
  A graduation ceremony is a one-day event, celebration, and who says that such an event can't happen at some future date at some future site? What can't be rescheduled is your whole Lyndon experience and the memories and education you’ve gained along the way! You have earned a credential and license to go out and seize this new day, make a new way!
  
  Congratulations Lyndon graduates!!! 2020 will be your memory about change and is now part of your story! Sandra Boniello Johnson '67
• Congratulations Class of 2020!! You have completed an amazing accomplishment! To all my ladies in the Inclusive Ed Program, I am so excited to enter the field of education with you! Class of 2020 you are strong, and we are united! We are NVU Strong! Caroline Hassan
• That job you think isn't what you hoped your first job would be just may turn out to be the best job to launch you into your awesome second job and your future. Take every opportunity to move forward by being open to challenge, be the first to say "yes, I can do that”, follow the lead of the right people but offer to help do the work. And, if you want to keep learning, volunteer to serve on a board in your community. The people you will serve with are remarkable mentors, can connect you to the right people for your career goals, you learn to do a lot of things you never knew you would do and most importantly, giving back to your community is always rewarding.
  In these uncertain times, know that you have a network of Lyndon alumni available to help you along the way. Stay connected.
  
  Well done Class of 2020. Angela Irvine
• Congratulations of 2020! You have achieved great things amid a trying time. Welcome to the NVU Alumni! Beth Fraser
• Without having any say in the matter, the Class of 2020 has the dubious distinction of sharing its final semester with a pandemic (not to mention a few other crises). And you have overcome. In fact, it looks like you are all the stronger for it. We are very proud of you, Class of 2020! Go forth and do good. Tracy Sherbrook
• Journal every day. 40 years from now you can read your journal and realize how much you have grown. Congratulations and best wishes for your success. Gail Marine
• Having just retired from 42 years of teaching in Vermont last June, my heart goes out to senior education majors whose student teaching was impacted. My hope is that you have had a distanced learning presence in your students' lives while becoming licensed professionals. Teaching is more than a profession. It will become your way of life. Vermont needs dedicated, well prepared educators. Best wishes to you all. Kris Ingram
• Congratulations! Even though the ending to your collegiate career has not unfolded the way any of us would have envisioned it, don't let that overshadow the accomplishments. You made the important decision to go to pursue a college degree, you've overcome many obstacles, and worked very hard to get to this point. On top of that, the experiences and friendships have helped shape who you've become. Be thankful and proud. The future will have ups and downs, but you're well prepared. Remember where you came from but keep looking forward. Best wishes for a successful and meaningful future.
  Ethan Coppenrath
• Hopefully Lyndon has started you on a path to a wonderful life... as it did me. I have Lyndon to thank for leading me to 44 years of teaching Special Education
  
  Two things to remember:
  TODAY is the first day of the rest of your life. YOU decide which path you want to take.
  The past is forever gone. The future still belongs to you!
  
  Congratulations! Mary Lou Dickerhof
• Don't be afraid to explore work opportunities outside of your major! Don't forget to have hobbies, they’re all you'll have to fall back on when you get furloughed six months into your first post-grad job! #corona Rebecca Gagne
• Congratulations! The best of luck in your future endeavors! You've made it this far, anything is possible! After graduating I went on a road trip from Vermont to Tennessee and then up the east coast. It helped me figure out what I wanted to do with my degree, and I decided on nonprofit work! I now work for Good News Garage in Burlington and couldn't be happier in a well-suited position! Rebecca Gagne
• Congratulations to the entire class of 2020! You've all worked hard to get where you are and that is amazing! You may have been told that graduation means you are finally entering the "real world", and to that I'd like to say; you've been in the real world all along. Your whole college experience (everything prior too) are a part of you, and there are a lot of great things to take forward with you as you continue to grow and find your way. And if anyone is worried about not knowing where you're going to end up, it'll be alright! I had no idea I'd be doing what I am today, and here I am anyhow. Had you told me when I finished the WAM program that I'd be a zookeeper five years later I wouldn't have believed it. You're going to do things you may never have dreamed, and I'm so excited for all of you to discover these amazing parts of your life you have yet to live! Have a great time! Jessica Bartlau
• Congratulations Class of 2020! I wish you all the best for your future and I know having a degree from NVU will set you on a path of success. Well done! Megan Jolly
• Congratulations class of 2020! Graduating from college is a huge achievement and you should be proud of yourselves. Keep working to achieve your goals, you can accomplish so much! Sabrina Kreber
• Experience all you can. Take risks and be willing to accept failure but grow from your failures. Live and love for YOU first. Be able to look at yourself in the mirror at the beginning and the end of each day and tell yourself you did the best you could. Make today a little better than yesterday. Ben Warstler
• Love, adore, and be proud of the place where you received your college education. The memories, people, and lasting friendships will become part of your life. Dan Pfefferle
• There will always be challenges. It’s how you meet them that makes all the difference. Let your star shine! Kimberly Allyn Poulton
• You are all NVU Strong. You have already followed your dream and made it through college. I hope your futures will be as bright as your minds have become in your years with us. Conquer the world and always remember, the staff and faculty at Northern Vermont University are proud of you. Good luck to all of you. Please stay in touch. Sandra Noyes
• Upon graduation you will find yourself with both new opportunities to reinvent yourself and make your mark on the world, as well as challenges you have yet to face. As for the opportunities, always strive to be your most authentic self in all you do, while never losing sight of giving back to your community whenever and however you are able to. As far as the challenges, trust your gut, don't be afraid to ask for help, and remember that it is never too late for personal growth, or for looking at life from a new perspective. Ryan Downs
• Take that hilltop view with you wherever you go. Cherish it always, but especially when you need some good vibes. Stuart MacAskill
• You're well prepared to do what it is your heart desires. We'll be here when you need to be reminded of that fact. Congratulations on your many impressive accomplishments! Elaine Harvey
• We are so proud of all you have accomplished. We will miss you, but we know you are going into the next chapter of your life ready to conquer what awaits you. Congratulations!! Julie Theoret
• You have amazed us. David Plazek