Seniors at Grad Fair get fitted for their cap and gown and engage in other preparations before they graduate. File Photo/ The Lion’s Roar
The moment that senior students have been waiting their entire college career for is approaching, but first they must be equipped for their big day through the bi-semester event “Grad Fair.”
“Grad Fair” will be held in the Alumni Center Banquet Hall on Oct. 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Oct.11 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“Grad Fair” is a graduation planning event where students can purchase their cap and gown for commencement. The university’s cap and gown can only be picked up from “Grad Fair.”
“You do not have to pre-register,” said Executive Director of Alumni Relations Michelle Briggs. “Just show up at any time in those two days. The students enter through the front doors and our conference room is set up for some of the stations.”
Students can also get a cap and gown portrait, a diploma frame, a “Le Souvenir” yearbook and get information about graduate school. The Office of Career Services will be available for students who want to start searching for a job and start their careers, and they can purchase a class ring.
Class rings are sold at “Grad Fair” so students can participate in the Fall Ring Ceremony.
“You can always order a ring after graduation but in order to have it delivered in time for the ring ceremony, you have to order it at ‘Grad Fair,’” said Biggs.
Students will be able to become members of the Alumni Association and be up to date on events happening on campus that they could return to be a part of.
“All of our graduates receive one year free of dues in the Alumni Association,” said Biggs. “After that you can pay to join.”
The members of the Alumni Association do not put together “Grad Fair” by themselves. It has the help of other on campus organizations and off-campus organizations.
“We’re partnering with various organizations on campus and some off campus like Balfour which is the company that sells the class rings,” said Biggs. “We will also have a photographer here and you can actually wear a cap and gown and get your photo taken that you can use for announcements or anything like that.”
The Alumni Association is making sure that the word gets out to all December graduates before “Grad Fair” so that they know ahead of time to participate in the event and be ready for graduation.
“A letter is being mailed to the December graduates actually this week,” said Biggs. “We are also sending out an email to the December graduates. Other than that, we’re just trying to get the word out through the various on campus organizations. We are gonna have some flyers around the union and the bookstore.”
The Alumni Association is also willing to help students that miss graduation or are not able to be there for “Grad Fair.”
“If for some reason someone can’t attend, they would just need to call us and make arrangements to get their cap and gown,” said Briggs. “We hope that all December graduates will come and take care of everything at one stop.”