Expo prepares grads to walk in December
Beth Cammilletti, senior criminal justice major, looks at class rings during the Graduation Expo on Oct. 29. Booths were set up to ease graduation for seniors.
Students walked from table to table at the Graduation Expo Oct. 29, trying to get their graduation plans squared away.
This was the second year for the expo, the first one taking place in spring 2003 and attracting around 250 graduates.
Kelly Wilson, director of student support center, said the purpose of the expo is to assist graduates in completing the graduation process. Tables for career services, alumni services, the business office, graduation rings and graduation announcements were among those at the expo.
Wilson said the expo is a way for the graduates to get everything done all in one place that needs to be done before they graduate.
“What I’ve been told by students is that they really appreciate [the expo],” Wilson said.
The expo started at 10 a.m. and lasted until 7 p.m. with a break between 2-4 p.m.
Wilson said the expo went until 7 p.m. for those students who couldn’t come during the day because of work or class.
Nick Wilkowski, senior CIS major, graduates in December. He was able to set up an interview at the expo to talk about paying off his financial aid. He said it was nice to have a setup like the expo for the “hectic” graduation time
“It just kind of helps get everything organized,” Wilkowski said.
Missouri Southern expects about 350 graduates in December.
Wilson said the expo is a way to send them off in style.
“It makes [graduation] seem real,” Wilson said. “It’s just around the corner.”
Drury Inn and Suites had a table set up at the expo to offer graduates’ families a place to stay during the graduation ceremonies.
Drury offered a discounted rate of $55 a room for graduates’ families.
“This is something new we thought we’d give a try,” said Nicole Beiermann, area sales manager for Drury.
Amber Phipps, senior health promotion and wellness major, came to the expo to prepare for her graduation in May.
She said she will be interning in the spring, so she has to get everything done this fall.
Phipps was able to pick out her cap and gown and see some graduation announcements.
“I think it’s very helpful for the students,” Phipps said. “It helps us see options.”
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