After A Year Of Virtual Classes And Vaccines, 14,000 MDC Students Graduated Saturday—At A Baseball Stadium

In 2018, Quran Howard started working as a security guard at Marlins Park to save money so he could start classes at Miami Dade College. 

Three years later, Howard’s life has come full circle. He was one of 14,000 MDC students who graduated Saturday during three commencement ceremonies at loanDepot Park, formerly known as Marlins Park.

“I’ve learned that anything is possible,” said Howard, who earned an associate in arts degree in political science from North Campus. “I’m learning to live in the moment.”

Although the event was more subdued than past MDC graduation ceremonies—some have featured snakes, a conga-line of dancers, aerial gymnastics and DJs from the local radio airwaves—the affair managed to keep some of its flair.

Students flexed pompoms and sparklers flashed as they walked toward the stage to receive their diplomas. The stage was set up on top of the clay where the second base bag sits during baseball games and featured the College’s Board of Trustees and a few College administrators such as College Provost Malou C. Harrison and President Madeline Pumariega.

“This year has been marked by uncertainty, unrest, and loss,” Pumariega said during the Wolfson and Hialeah Campus commencement ceremony. “We have collectively entered the test of time and today, we recognize not only individual commitment and effort, but also families, friends, and faculty who have supported you.”

Unlike the College’s commencement ceremonies in December held on campus to celebrate the 2019-20 graduates—students were allowed to invite two guests. 

“It feels amazing [to have my parents here today] since they’ve supported me every step of the way,” said Joshua Ynirio who graduated from the Kendall Campus Honors College with an associate’s degree in economics.

His mom, Mary Ynirio, seconded that sentiment: “I’m a proud mami.” 

Upon entering the stadium, attendees had to undergo temperature checks. Graduates sat six feet apart from each other in the lower bowl of the stadium and were required to wear face masks at all times. Hand sanitation stations were available throughout the venue.

Due to limited capacity and to ensure social distancing, only select faculty and administrators, the Board of Trustees and graduates attended the ceremonies.  Guests were seated in the upper deck and the ceremony was also available via livestream.

“This means the world to me because I promised my dad I would work hard to accomplish my dreams, said Lloyd Campbell who lost his father to cancer when he was eight, a year after his family arrived in Miami from Jamaica. Campbell earned an associate’s degree in psychology Saturday. “He and my mom made sacrifices to ensure a better future for my siblings and I didn’t want to let that go to waste. I know he’s proud of me.” 

The ceremony was filled with success stories like Campbell’s. Forty-five-year-old Raidel Miranda was another such story. He graduated Saturday from North Campus with an associate’s degree in social services. He walked with his 21-year-old daughter Victoria, who earned a bachelor’s degree in biopharmaceutical.

 “Coming from a person who couldn’t read or write correctly when I left high school, to the point that I could actually graduate, is an amazing journey,” Raidel Miranda said. “If I [can] do it, anyone can do it.”

Keynote speakers included Moderna CEO Dr. Noubar Afeyan (North, Medical and West ceremony), City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez (Kendall, Homestead and Padrón ceremony) and Miami Herald Executive Editor Monica R. Richardson (Wolfson and Hialeah ceremony). 

“Fulfilling your purpose can come in the smallest of homes, and the slightest little moments. It doesn’t have to be big and grand, it’s about being your best self,” Richardson said. “You were put on this earth to achieve your greatest self so find that purpose, and do it courageously.”

Summoning that courage, Angelo Douillon stood before his peers Saturday for the last time as Homestead Campus Student Government Association president and counseled them to remain resilient through life’s difficulties.  

“The challenges get tougher and tougher, but so will we,” Douillon said. “Once a shark, always a shark.”

Staff writers Carolina Soto and Ernesto Nuñez contributed to this story.