Graduating seniors made their way over to the Alumni Center on Oct. 10 and 11 to get sized for their cap and gown, order class rings, receive last year’s yearbook and take their free cap and gown portraits.
At Grad Fair, many seniors stopped to reflect on the things they would and would not miss about the university and how it felt to finally be graduating.
“I like [Southeastern] because they have small classes,” said Jennifer Davis, a graduating senior who is working towards her Master’s of Arts and Teaching in Special Education. “I feel it’s very personal. The professors are always willing to help when you need help.”
Davis said that graduation in December has been “a long time coming.”
Senior Danielle Parker similarly expressed that she had to travel a long way to reach graduation because of hardships along the way, but she is excited that her time at the university is coming to an end.
“I’m going to miss the gym, definitely. I’m going to miss my friends because I’m probably going out of the country for a job,” said Parker, who will be receiving her Bachelor’s in Business Management.
All of the seniors who passed through Grad Fair expressed similar feelings about taking good memories away from their time at the university.
“I really enjoyed the experience here,” said Anthony Duckett, a senior majoring in criminal justice. “A lot of the faculty and administration here are really helpful. Whenever I need something, I really feel like they’re willing to help out, and they really want to help you out. You’re not just another student, you know, they really care about you and your well being here. That’s one of the things I’m really going to miss.”
Duckett also said that he got more than just a degree from his time at Southeastern.  
“I think I really learned a lot, not only in my field, but the courses I had to take really opened my eyes up to things that were always going on that I never really paid attention to,” said Duckett. “I think that you combine that with what I’ve actually learned in class and I think it’s a great learning experience.”
Some students were reminiscent over the great courses and instructors they had over the years.
“I’m going to miss my professors most of all. My department, I think it’s really strong,” said Gregory Weatherspoon, a senior majoring in Industrial Technology.
Few students had anything negative to say about leaving Hammond.
“I’m not going to miss the roads to get to Southeastern,” said Parker. “It’s really weird how there’s like one way to go up and different one ways to go back.”
“What I’m not going to miss is waking up at 8 o’clock for class,” said Weatherspoon.     
Grad Fair was one of the final steps for seniors graduating in the fall, and most students who passed through shared the same feelings of pride toward their school and excitement about receiving their degree in December.