Graduation set to hor senior accomplishments
Emily Thungkaew
Staff Writer
Save the date! These words written in bold, capital letters on a postcard are asking families of graduates to attend the Baccalaureate Ceremony on Sunday May 11 2008 at 10am and the Commencement Ceremony following at 1:30pm.
This life-changing event may be one of the highlights of every Carroll student’s experience. For some, it may seem like a decade ago that they were being led down the aisles of Shattuck Auditorium to the sound of bagpipes.
Now they will be leaving the institution the same way they came, except this time with a degree, and hopefully a prosperous future.
The Commencement Committee has been hard at work since the beginning of the semester to make this event happen.
The committee is made of several area representatives around campus. There are students, faculty, and staff involved.
Matthew Sirinek, the Director of Campus Services, is currently serving his third year on the committee and hopes to make this year’s event one to remember.
Much preparation goes into these highly traditional ceremonies. Many things done in the program are items that are done every year. Last year a couple new things were implemented into the program, but this year things will stay the same.
Sirinek remarked, “We did so much last year and now we’re trying to make sure we’ve got it right.”
Many things need to be taken into consideration when it comes to the day of the actual ceremony.
It is tradition to hold the ceremony on Main Lawn. There, family members totaling up to 4,000 people can watch their loved ones walk across the stage surrounded by the beautiful historic buildings on campus. However, if there is an overflow of people, a live broadcast will be made in Shattuck Auditorium to accommodate for those who do not fit on Main Lawn.
Should rain occur, the ceremony would take place in Van Male Gymnasium. Van Male can sit 3,286 people and can likely accommodate all those wishing to attend.
Regardless of location, everyone involved is in for a traditional Carroll event. “Children of the Heavenly Father,” Carroll College Concert Choir’s traditional hymn will be performed as it has been in years previous at Baccalaureate. Also, each senior will be presented with a candle to light for the service as well.
Sirinek expressed that the part he looks forward to most is the actual commencement of the graduates. The use of bagpipes is a signature Carroll College trademark. “They pipe the students in, and out,” said Sirinek.
The graduating seniors will leave as they entered during their Opening Convocation: with bagpipes and a warm applause of congratulations by the faculty and staff while exiting. “It’s just a magical experience,” Sirinek added.
Senior Griselda Macias is one of three students to serve on the Commencement Committee. Though the students do not actually carry out the ceremony, student input is taken very seriously.
Student Senate nominates the students selected for the Commencement Committee. Macias serves with fellow seniors, Jay Wendland and Sara Lachner.
Macias stated, “I’m looking forward to recognizing all the seniors and their accomplishments.
This year the class nominated speaker will be James W. Eby. Many students apply for this role, and one is selected according to the number of votes they receive from the senior class.
The number for anticipated students that will be receiving their degree this May is around 600, but there are estimates that around 500 students will actually participate in the ceremonies.