The planning for graduation is still in its infancy, but The Elm went out and found some information to keep all you seniors looking forward to the big day.
One of the pre-graduation weekend activities is set up by the Alumni Office.
"We do help to organize a senior party, which will be held on Thursday, May 16; so far it looks like it will be held at the pavilion that evening," said Sally Grafton of the Alumni Office.
The graduation ceremony will last approximately two hours.
Generally, there is an honorary degree conferred and an honored alumnus of WC.
Then, each graduate is called to receive his or her degree.
Following the presentation of degrees, awards are given to members of the senior class, including the Sophie Kerr award.
The speakers at graduation consist of a guest invited by the senior class and one representative from the class itself.
"We started the process of choosing a guest speaker early in our junior year by asking members of the class of 2002 for any input. We compiled a list of all suggestions and have been adding to that list whenever someone offers a new suggestion. The actual invitation process is a surprise. Dr. Toll has asked us to keep the name of the speaker confidential. As for the senior speaker, we just sent out an email asking seniors to consider the opportunity. In this process, anybody who chooses may write and submit a speech (the deadline will be in early April) to be read by him/her in front of a panel. The panel will then choose a speaker out of all of those who applied," said senior class president Allison Weisbrod.
Graduation itself will be held out doors, weather permitting.
"Anybody who wishes may attend if it is outside; however, if it rains, the number in the gym is limited. The school has put a real effort into allowing everyone to see the ceremony. If it is a really hot day or it is bad weather, satellite rooms will be set up with screens so that the ceremony can be broadcasted for a bigger audience and will allow for maximum comfort," said Weisbrod.
According to Wilson, a faculty member will be honored at graduation, but who that person is has not yet been decided.
There are a great number of people involved in the planning of graduation. A few include the other senior officers, VP Simone Girodet, Secretary Melissa Farmer and Treasurer Heather Giustiniani.
"Dr. Toll and Joe Holt have both been working very hard with us to help schedule our speaker as well as pick a class gift and plan graduation week," said Weisbrod.
The senior class gift is a thoughtful one for the WC campus. "The senior class gift consists of a number of trash and cigarette receptacles placed around campus. I believe the seniors would like to leave a message of recycling and cleanliness behind," said Grafton.
A full schedule of events will be available by the second weekend in March. So far, Laura Wilson has provided the following as the standard graduation weekend format:
Saturday, May 18 8:45 a.m. Rehearsal; Sunday, May 19 8:00 a.m.- 9:30 a.m. Breakfast for alumni, graduates, and their families. Cost six dollars. Main Dining Room, Hodson Hall; 10:00 a.m. Graduates, faculty, platform guests report for robing; 10:30 a.m. 220th Commencement Campus Lawn. (Rain Location: Cain Athletic Center.)
More information will become available as graduation approaches and plans are finalized. This is the beginning of the beginning for the class of 2002.
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