The countdown to Commencement began in earnest last week, as seniors crowded the UConn Co-op for the annual Grad Fair March 24-25.
Graduating students posed for senior portraits, ordered class rings, picked up their caps and gowns, and signed up for the Nutmeg Yearbook.
Over the past month, students have received many reminders about graduation, such as the need to contact the Registrar’s office to check that their name and major are listed correctly in the Commencement program, guidelines on how to contribute to this year’s class gift, and information about when they can pick up Commencement tickets.
Representatives from Herff Jones Photography have been on campus taking thousands of portraits at the Alumni Center, and will continue to do so over the next week.
Richard Kremer, a horticulture and turfgrass management major, looked professional in a dress shirt and tie as he sat for his photo. “Having my portrait taken is a symbol of the end of my college career and that I am actually graduating,” said Kremer. “I’m excited to be almost done.”
Christina Sanchioni, a molecular and cell biology major, echoed the sentiment. “I’m very excited to finally be graduating, but I will miss just hanging out with friends and some of my professors,” she said.
Student photos will appear in the Nutmeg Yearbook, which is free to graduates. This year’s will be published by October. Seniors are encouraged to submit photos for inclusion in the publication via e-mail.
Students looked over the school rings offered by Jostens. They come in a variety of styles and can be personalized with gem stones and engraved messages. “My Dad has a ring, so I’d like to get one too,” said Rachel Ramos, a human development and family studies major. “I just completed my honors thesis, so I’m glad to have that done and I’m looking forward to working for Teach for America this fall.”
For students eager to pursue further schooling, information about financing graduate education was available at a table hosted by Daniel Kowalchik from UConn’s financial aid department. “Students are looking for ways to pay off their loans and what they need to do for graduate programs,” he said.
Plenty of freebies were available for graduates, from t-shirts to stress relievers and cake.
The students were both excited and anxious about their final days as undergraduates. “I will remember all the fun sporting events and activities like leading a group on an alternative spring break to the Gulf Coast for hurricane relief”, said Kremer.
Ramos added, “[The time] went by fast. I was glad to be able to take advantage of so many things, like going to polo games and SUBOG-sponsored trips to New York for Broadway shows.”
Sanchioni noted that she met one of her best friends at UConn and also made connections with her professors. “Colleen Spurling, MCB [molecular and cell biology] professor, actually got to know me,” Sanchioni said. “In a big class, she took time to meet with me one-on-one and cared about her students. Even though UConn makes you work hard, it’s worth it!”
Information about Commencement ceremonies is available on the Commencement website.
