Lexy Greenwell's Virtual Commencement
Alexis "Lexy" Greenwell ’15 used her iPhone to virtually walk across the stage at Grinnell College's commencement ceremony even though she was 725 miles away at Craig Hospital in Englewood, Colorado.
Janet Davis, associate professor of computer science and Greenwell's faculty adviser, represented Greenwell at Grinnell College's ceremony honoring 405 graduates on Monday, May 18, in Grinnell, Iowa.
As she joined the parade of graduates crossing the stage, Davis held up her iPhone, which was connected to Greenwell's iPhone via Skype. Greenwell saw the view from the stage and shared in the graduation experience as Grinnell College President Raynard S. Kington conveyed his congratulations and then the two exchanged virtual waves.
Greenwell also was able to view the entire ceremony via a live stream on a projection screen. Following Greenwell's virtual walk across the stage, Grinnell College Trustee Steve Holtze and his wife, Elizabeth, both 1968 graduates of Grinnell and residents of the Denver area, presented Greenwell with her diploma.
"It was really, really cool . . . just an exciting moment," says Greenwell, who wore a cap and gown for her commencement celebration at Craig Hospital. Family and friends joined her at the hospital where she received intensive neurological rehabilitation that helped her recover from several brain hemorrhages and two brain surgeries that threatened her life and interrupted her studies at Grinnell College.
Greenwell was able to finish her senior year via interactive classes, earning a bachelor's degree in computer science with a technology studies concentration.
"With her sparkling personality and can-do attitude, Lexy has always been a pleasure to teach and advise," professor Davis says. "She has shown remarkable determination in the face of adversity. Lexy has worked closely with faculty, staff and classmates to participate fully in all of her classes — including a team software development project — despite being far away from Grinnell."
The 22-year-old singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and beatboxer, who has performed for Reba McEntire and shared a stage with David Foster and other celebrities, says music played a key role in her recovery.
"Music definitely helped save me. It was a huge part of my healing process," Greenwell says. She aims to combine her love of music and technology to become a music executive. She also plans to write a book about her experiences in hopes of inspiring others.
"It takes some time when you go through something like this to get yourself to a place where you feel like you can move forward," she says, adding with a smile, "My future is wide open, and I'm so grateful for the amazing life I have."