The littlest things can make the moment: the perfect song, a trinket from someone special, the clothes that mark a special occasion. Therein lies the excitement of the 2012 graduating class as they receive their caps and gowns, and the day draws near when they will enter the post-graduate world.
“Everyone takes it pretty seriously,” Joanna Wiseley, director of Career Services said, “they understand it’s an important time for the seniors and their families.”
Picking up a cap and a gown seems like a fairly mundane affair, but it is as significant as the icing on a cake, a final touch that shows that the long-anticipated date is finally drawing near.
“It’s surreal. It’s weird. I think it didn’t hit me until I got back from spring break and realized, oh my gosh, we have six weeks left,” senior Dina Farhat said.
Over the course of the next two months the seniors’ lives change from students to postgraduate students or working adults. Starting with Convocation on April 12, and culminating in graduation on May 12.
Responses vary, including stress, desperation and overwhelming excitement.
“I’m ready to work for a salary instead of grades, and I can’t wait for the real world,” senior Laura Wegmann said. “My post graduate plans include sleeping . . . and who knew that I was employable!”
Other students respond less favorably, expressing regret at leaving behind a college they’ve called home for the last four years.
“They should call it getting your cap and frown! I am not excited about leaving this place,” senior Maria Lams said.
As May 12 approaches, both students and administration begin to contemplate the changes taking place. For the 23 time, Wiseley anticipates the upcoming event, and works to schedule the event in her capacity as commencement coordinator.
She said in order to make the commencement ceremony successful you have to plan for everything.
“I’ve seen a lot,” she said, “We’re due to have a ceremony outside. Everything is better outside!”
Past years have been moved and rescheduled inside because of anything from weather problems to speaker preferences, and even one year due to a freak gypsy moth problem, when clouds of moths kept falling out of the trees onto the seats of the would-be audience.
The registrar’s office is also a flurry of activity as the degrees are worked out, caps and gowns are distributed, and the senior class votes for their ‘professor of the year.’
The four professors nominated to the title this year are Peter Blum, professor of philosophy and culture, Allan Carlson, visiting professor of history and politics, Donald Turner, professor of philosophy, and Gavin Weaire, associate professor of classical studies.
The preparations and activity are too marked to ignore; graduation is coming up quickly on the horizon.
“It’s been a lot harder than I expected it to be, and I think it’s only going to get worse, but I’ve been more blessed than anything to be here,” Farhat said. “I have no complaints, but it’s definitely weird.”
tsawyer@hillsdale.edu
