Excitement at ‘Grad Fair’

At+Grad+Fair%2C+graduating+students+could+speak+with+different+departments+on+campus+to+learn+about+different+graduate+programs%2C+join+the+Alumni+Association%2C+buy+graduation+invitations+and+more.+The+fair+served+as+a+one-stop+shop+to+help+to-be+graduates+prepare+to+finish+a+step+in+their+academic+journey.+

Maiah Woodring/The Lion's Roar

At “Grad Fair,” graduating students could speak with different departments on campus to learn about different graduate programs, join the Alumni Association, buy graduation invitations and more. The fair served as a one-stop shop to help to-be graduates prepare to finish a step in their academic journey.

Advertised as a one-stop shop for graduating students, “Grad Fair,” prepared students for the final leg of their academic journey and beyond.

Held in the Student Union Ballroom from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 12 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 13, “Grad Fair” provided an opportunity for to-be graduates to buy their cap and gown, class ring and invitations. The students could also enter a $100 Visa gift card raffle, take their graduation pictures, and speak with representatives from different departments on campus, the Alumni Association, the Office of Graduate Studies and the Office of Career Services among others.

Jaime Gelpi, a student worker for career services, described the mood of the event as nervous.

“It’s like so much stuff happening at once, but I think ‘Grad Fair’ is just kind of showing them all of their options,” said Gelpi.

While at “Grad Fair,” the most common question Gelpi received was whether or not career services could help the to-be graduates after graduation.

“The answer is ‘yes,'” shared Gelpi. “We offer our services to anyone and everyone that graduated from Southeastern regardless of if it was 20 years ago or two days ago.”

According to Debi Fasullo, co-owner of Candid Campus Photography Inc., turnout for the event surpassed what she has seen at other schools.

“You get probably 80 percent participation here while most of the time I’m happy if we get 50 percent,” explained Fasullo. “So, they’re well knowledgable here in knowing about the event.”