Proud U of D Mercy College Graduate Gabrielle “Gabby” Jackson

A Pissed Off Senior by Gabrielle Jackson

I remember as soon as the 2019-2020 Fall semester started, I was claiming myself to be a graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy. I saw that my status said “senior” on my portal and that I had less than 30 credits to accumulate.  I could not wait to put “Detroit Mercy Alumna” in my bios on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Everything was smooth during the fall semester, and I even made it to the Dean’s List, which has only happened one other time, so I felt like I was on top of the world.

Gabby’s Decorative Graduation Cap

Fast forward to the year 2020. It came and I was all in, I was ready. I registered for commencement, ordered my cap and gown, went to my grad salute, trying to figure out who I should hire as a photographer for my senior pictures, and was already trying to determine how I was going to set up my open house to celebrate with friends and family afterward. Welp for all I care, 2020 is canceled and just to keep it PG, it can kiss my donkey. Coronavirus done came through and just took my happiness away. My commencement got postponed and everybody keeps on looking at me as if I am overreacting because “commencement was only postponed, not canceled.” That is completely beside the point because May 9^th, at 2:30 pm, in Calihan Hall is all that I had on my mind as soon as they determined the commencement date.

Gabby posing with her first Car “Blu”

The week of graduation wasn’t all bad because I did purchase my own and first car, in my name and everything and her name is Blu. It was still obvious that I was in my feelings because I was nowhere near as excited as I thought I would be signing off on all my paperwork and pulling off in a car that wasn’t a hoopty. I also still celebrated with my little family of 5 on the actual day and had a little drink, so that day turned out relatively decent.

At the end of the day, I just hope that I can get a formal commencement because this is a major milestone in my life and I have gone through too much B.S, even though I have a B.A, to have it taken away from me.

Signed,

-A pissed off senior