Congratulations, UNMC graduates

A mask can't hold back a smile.

When someone's joy radiates, it doesn't matter if a piece of cloth is covering their smile. The smile still comes out.

Last Friday, UNMC graduated 372 students — who have finished the rigors of their studies through a historic pandemic that will now see them step into health care professions or advance with their honors.

Even as UNMC put pandemic safety protocols in place for the commencement ceremony — including masks — the graduates' smiles didn't hold back. Nor did their sense of accomplishment at seeing the hard work through to the end. Nor did the graduates' pride at their accomplishments.

UNMC photographer Kent Sievers documented the university's winter commencement. And smiles lit up the ceremony. For a full roll of Sievers' photos, visit UNMC's Flickr account.

Congratulations, graduates. Your smiles say it all.