Graduation changes affect December ceremony
Susannah Petty
Issue date: 11/20/08 Section: News
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Beginning next month, the number of friends and family each graduate may invite will be limited to 10 and the number of ceremonies will be reduced from four to two, said Graduation Coordinator Connie Murry. In the past, the number of guests was limited only by how many people attended the ceremony.
Lauren Gillaspie, Interdisciplinary Studies senior, said she's concerned the new rules will bruise feelings.
"It makes me really nervous, because I have a really big family and now I'm forced to pick and choose who can and can't come. I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings," Gillaspie said.
Graduates from the college of Agriculture and Human Sciences, Science and Technology and Liberal and Fine Arts will walk the stage at 9:00 a.m on Saturday, Dec. 13. The colleges of Business Administration and Education will walk at 1:30 p.m that afternoon.
Murry said graduation changes were made because President Dominic Dottavio wanted to have fewer ceremonies. She said the 10 guest limit was needed because the ceremonies were being combined and the space was limited.
"He's the new president, so we went with what he said. He initially wanted one outdoor ceremony, but we talked him out of that," Murry said.
The reduction in the number of ceremonies means bachelors, masters and doctoral candidates will now graduate together. Some say the change is likely to make the ceremonies longer than in the past.
"I kind of don't want to go my own graduation because it is going to take so long. I know my family is going to be bored, too," senior Kent Palmore said.
Even though changes have been made, most graduates are excited just to walk across the stage and get their diplomas.
"It is finally here," Henry Hudson, senior finance major said. "It may take longer to graduate, but the diploma is still worth it,"
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 5
Jamie
posted 11/24/08 @ 9:48 AM CST
I am commenting on the recent article about the graduation ceremonies being combined. First of all, the ceremonies are plenty long enough without the combination of several majors lumped together. (Continued…)
Alisha
posted 12/01/08 @ 10:15 AM CST
I am really disappointed that they've made this decision. It has been a long road to graduation for me, and my family are the ones that helped me make it this far. (Continued…)
JR
posted 12/03/08 @ 3:19 PM CST
At least it ismore organized than last year's and the years before. It was very crowded and the graduates were just told to show up at a certain time. (Continued…)
Mike
posted 1/09/09 @ 5:49 PM CST
As a parent who has paid good money to put my student through three years at Tarleton I find it dishearting to see these kinds of restrictions put in place. (Continued…)
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