KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Moniteau County resident was among those who graduated from Avila University over the weekend.
Brittney Koechner, of Tipton, graduated with a MA in Education from Avila University's Class of 2020, the University's 103rd graduating class. Koechner was one of nearly 400 graduates who received their undergraduate and masters degrees this spring.
A total of 396 graduates received masters and baccalaureate degrees from the Schools of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Business, Education, Professional Studies, Nursing, Science and Health, and Visual and Communication Arts. The University bestowed 279 baccalaureate degrees and 117 Master's degrees.
In light of the social distancing requirements put in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the 103rd graduating class faced unprecedented obstacles in the final months of their college career. With 19 states and six international countries represented in the class of 2020, the pandemic forced students to quickly reorient themselves physically and mentally in the middle of their final semester. Despite these difficulties, students and their professors adjusted quickly, ensuring the former successfully completed the requirements of their degrees.
Due to the current health and safety limits placed on public gatherings, the Class of 2020 will be honored at a special reception during this fall's homecoming week. Spring 2020 graduates are also invited to walk the commencement stage with their classmates in May 2021.