UNL grad shares her experience graduating through a pandemic

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln held its summer virtual graduation on Saturday. Over 700 students received a degree.

Lincoln, Neb. (KLKN) – The University of Nebraska-Lincoln held its summer virtual graduation ceremony on Saturday. Over 700 students received their degrees.

UNL graduate Alexis Mayse earned a Bachelor’s degree in journalism. She enjoyed the ceremony from her living room.

“It was very different,” Mayse said. “I didn’t feel like I actually graduated college, because I wasn’t physically in an arena.”

Mayse is the first of  five siblings to graduate from college. It may not have been Pinnacle Bank Arena, but she was still surrounded by her loved ones. Her father Alex Mayse says having his first-born graduate, is something special.

“It’s great for me as a dad especially where I came from,” he said. “I was the first to graduate in my household.”

With obstacles, uncertainty, and divide around the country, this is a year the class of 2020 will never forget.

“My classes were just starting as soon as the George Floyd murder and protests were starting,” Mayse said. “It was hard seeing all those things happening on TV.”

Mayse decided to help the black community in Lincoln. She created a list of black-owned businesses in Lincoln that went viral online.

“It’s been really humbling to see all the responses I’ve been getting,” she said.

Mayse left an impact in her community, and managed to earn a college degree in a pandemic.  She hopes to land a job as a copywriter at an advertising agency. Her father is more than proud.

“It made me tear up a bit, because she’s my baby girl,” her father said. “She’s all grown up now.”