Kait Freeberg
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The first-ever senior Spring Commencement Fair is right around the corner. Hosted by the University Store, the event will take place in the Julian A. McPhee University Union (building 65), room 220 on April 24 and 25. The fair will allow students to order graduation tickets, take senior portraits and purchase caps, gowns and class rings.
“It is the kickoff to graduation,” University Store director Bill Hockensmith said.
Helpful information about graduation weekend will also be available at the fair, including parking tips from the University Police Department.
“The purpose of the grad fair — we wanted to add to the excitement of the students, and we also wanted to share our space with others,” Hockensmith said.
Though the exact number of seniors expected to show up is unknown, Hockensmith believes approximately 1,500 students will attend over the two days of the fair.
Hockensmith, who is relatively new to Cal Poly, suggested the fair a few months ago with the help of Preston Sirois, customer service merchandise manager for the University Store.
At the time, no one knew what he was talking about, Hockensmith said.
“Commencement fairs are actually common on a lot of campuses,” he said. “When I first got here, I was surprised we did not have one here.”
Hockensmith had organized a number of commencement fairs at other institutions, so he had a good idea about who to invite.
“We expect this to grow, once you do the first one,” he said. “We are expecting more every year.”
Sirois said the event was a group effort.
“We couldn’t have just done this on our own,” he said.
The fair will feature the alumni association, graduate schools, Cal Poly Athletics, Career Services and more.
“We want it to be that: a celebration,” he said. “It should be a festive event.”
If seniors cannot make it to the fair, the option will stay to purchase cap, gowns and announcements at the University Store in mid-May.