Fall commencement takes place on Saturday, Dec. 14 in three separate ceremonies.
Shaun Kahmann
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As the fall quarter nears its end, many students will be gearing up for fall commencement.
While it may not share the same level of campuswide anticipation as the spring graduation ceremony, fall commencement gives students the unique opportunity to celebrate the academic milestone in a more mellow setting. This year’s ceremony will take place at the main gym in the Recreation Center on Dec. 14.
Katie Stubberfield, administrative coordinator of the Commencement Program, said she thinks students who are graduating this quarter can look forward to graduating with a much warmer, cozier ceremony.
“I really like fall commencement because it’s a lot more intimate,” Stubberfield said. “You get to celebrate more closely with your fellow students and faculty, and even meet President Armstrong in person.”
There are 1,071 students eligible for fall commencement this year. Historically, 78 percent of eligible students participate, according to Nona Nickelsen, director of Integrative Programs and Communications.
Three ceremonies will be held, one for the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences and the College Science and Mathematics at 9 a.m.; the College of Architecture and Environmental Design and the College of Liberal Arts will be at 1 p.m.; the ceremony for the College of Engineering and the Orfalea College of Business will be at 4 p.m.
Spring commencement usually includes two ceremonies: one that takes place at Spanos Stadium, followed by another that takes place within each college.
Chemistry professor John Hagen said he likes fall commencement ceremonies because they tend to be less stressful.
“The only disappointing thing is that some may not be graduating with some of their friends,” Hagen said. “Sometimes, because the spring ceremony might feel like a three hour ordeal, some may end up enjoying the fall one more.”
After the ceremony, students and their parents meet with the faculty outside the Recreation Center. Each student is greeted by every professor in the department after receiving their diploma.
Mechanical engineering senior Kevin Kesler said he’s excited to be graduating because he already has a job lined up.
“I’m very excited; it will be very nice to get away from school,” Kesler said. “I like having a smaller ceremony. I thought it would be a waste of time having the big generic one.”
There’s a $50 commencement fee that comes with 10 tickets for guests. The cap and gown set costs $36.25 for students earning a bachelor’s degree and $71.75 for graduate degree earners, as theirs comes with a hood. Rentals are available for faculty only.