COLUMBIA, Mo. — On Saturday, Riley Strain's family accepted his University of Missouri degree just weeks after they discovered his body in a Nashville, Tennessee, river.
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More than 5,000 students, families, and friends gathered to commemorate a momentous achievement in the Mizzou Arena for the 2024 Spring commencement ceremony. Riley graduated from the College of Arts and Science.
Mizzou took a moment to remember Riley and pictured him on the monitors in the arena. During that time, Dean of the College of Arts & Science Cooper Drury said "I'm sure you are full of emotions right now. It's also an emotional day for a family that joined us. They are sitting in the suit."
The crowd applauded.
"We lost Riley tragically earlier in the year and the family is here to accept his bachelor of arts in interdisciplinary studies with a minor in business. We also have many of his friends here. His brothers from Delta Ki fraternity who supported each other supported the community, and supported the family during this very tragic very tragic event. So we want to thank you for being here. Thank you for allowing us to celebrate Riley and remember him."
The speech was followed by a moment of silence for Riley.
When the time came to hand out the diplomas, Riley's name was called but it was not like the others. His parents appeared with tears in their eyes from the side of the stage, as seen in the live stream of the event.
The auditorium applauded as the family approached the stage and accepted their loved one's diploma. His name received a standing ovation and brought every classmate to their feet.
Riley's mother Michelle Whiteid can be seen accepting the diploma and holding it up above her head for everyone to see. After the parents took a picture with Mizzou leaders, Riley's mother was seen holding the diploma cover close to her face and walking the path that all graduates do.