Aaron Johnson – General Assignment Reporter
For the first time ever, Southern Connecticut State University is having two separate graduation commencements. The first of which will be this December at the John Lyman Center for the Performing Arts. Students that have completed 120 or more credits will be eligible to graduate.
“Although I have not technically graduated yet. It’s a surreal feeling knowing that I made it through four years of college,” said senior Andrew Anastasio.
As many students are continuing to prepare for this Southern Connecticut State first, some departments — like business — are preparing as well due to the continuous and noticeable increase in graduates this year.
“The number of graduates that we have are on the increase and it has for the past few years,” said Doctor Ellen Durnin, dean of the school of business on campus. “I think because of the downturn in the economy a few years ago students started looking for majors where they thought there was a greater degree of certainty they’d get a job after graduation.”
For students preparing to graduate this December that becomes the most challenging obstacle to go from being in a classroom setting to immediately being thrust into the working world. Anastasio said that his plans following graduation will be to find a job in sports reporting.
“My plan for after graduation is to find a job at a newspaper doing sports reporting,” said Anastasio. “I have a burning passion for sports and nothing would make me happier than finding a job in the industry reporting on sports.”
However, another challenge Anastasio and several other students graduating in the new commencement had was would they even decide to walk.
“At first I was indifferent to the idea of walking and I realized it’s something that everyone should try and experience. The main reason I’m so excited about walking now is because it gives me a chance to let my parents know that all their help and support the past four years has been greatly appreciated and none of my collegiate successes would have been possible without their help,” said Anastasio. “And for that I am truly grateful, basically I will be walking for them.”
Anastasio said he changed his major several times before coming to a final decision at journalism, which is an obstacle many college students may face during their four years. Durnin said that the business department has too seen a change in students interests over the years.
“Things like business become more popular and even things more particularly we’ve seen a big jump inside the business school in things like accounting,” said Durnin.
As the process of graduating is coming to a close, Anastasio said that thanks to the help of his advisor the process for him was not that difficult.
“I’m not really sure how I exactly feel on Southern’s new commencement style. I do however like the idea of having a ceremony for the fall graduates. It would be a long wait until the May graduation date,” said Anastasio. “I just know the process for me was not that difficult. Everything is done online and because my advisor walked me through the process, it made it go much smoother than I
anticipated.”
To acknowledge the accomplishments of the December graduates, the university will hold commencement ceremonies on Wednesday, December 18, 2013. The undergraduate ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. The graduate school ceremony will be held at 7 p.m.
