 "Photo: www.gettyimages.com")
The process involves auditing students on the list of applicants to make sure each credit has been completed and all requirements have been met.
Graduation specialist Kelly Murphy begins the process by doing the initial audits.
Then Monica Herrera, Holly Hicks and Ramonica Pierce step in to help her with more audits. The process is mandatory in order to make sure that all the graduates qualify for graduation.
“All graduates who want their name in the commencement brochure must have applied by the deadline on April 22,” Murphy said.
“It is important that the graduates apply for the term they are actually graduating in. This has become an issue, as it has been a hard thing to get across.”
After Murphy goes over her list, Herrera, Hicks and Pierce spend less than a week following up.
Final audits sometimes are completed up to a week after graduation. “About half of the students already have a job set up or are going on to get their bachelor’s degree and don’t even walk at the graduation,” Hicks said.
“The hardest part is getting the communication out to the students that every student has to apply even if they don’t plan on walking.”
Graduating students who plan to walk the stage must buy a cap and gown from the campus bookstore.
“This year is the first year where the cap and gown will be available year-round, provided by Josten’s,” said Linda Drees, an administrative assistant who works in the bookstore.
The bookstore provides graduates with many accommodations to make sure they are satisfied with what they are to wear and how they are to wear it.
“We have a try-on size to show how it looks once it is on, and a full-length mirror is also provided,” Drees said.
“We also are producing a demonstration video and a mannequin who even has a name, Matt.”
Students also have the opportunity to invite friends and family to the graduation ceremony via electronic invitations.
The ceremony is open to the public. It will begin at 7 p.m. May 14 in Cal Farley Coliseum at the Amarillo Civic Center.
Be the first to comment on this article!