Students emotional over loss of graduation events to pandemic

WHAT: Large gatherings are being prohibited due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in-person graduation and commencement ceremonies are canceled for many high school and some university students finishing their education.

EXPERT: Heather Servaty-Seib researches loss and grief experiences in both death and non-death situations as a professor in counseling psychology in Purdue University’s College of Education. She can speak to the importance of acknowledging the losses and recognizing the grief that occurs when such an important rite of passage like graduation cannot be practiced in their traditional form.

Heather Servaty-Seib. (Purdue University photo) Download image

QUOTE:  “Grief is not specific to death. As humans we grieve all types of non-death losses and that includes situations where expected and anticipated rites of passage can no longer occur — at least not occur in the same way. We need to challenge ourselves to be creative in modifying these rites of passage — to develop approaches that still allow for meaningful ritual and community connection.”

MORE INFORMATION

• Leads the university’s grief and loss research team, focusing on a variety of death and non-death loss experiences (e.g., divorce, romantic breakup, sports injury).
• Interim associate dean for teaching and learning in Provost’s Office; dean of student life in Purdue’s Honors College.     

CONTACT

Writer: Brian Huchel, bhuchel@purdue.edu

Source: Heather Servaty-Seib, servaty@purdue.edu. In addition to phone interviews, the professor is available for interviews via Zoom as well as Skype and WebEx.

Note to Journalists: A photo of Heather Servaty-Seib, as well as a stock photo of graduation, are available on Google Drive.