Graduation is a momentous occasion that symbolizes the passage of time and the rise to knowledge.
For Fall 2018 Texas A&M University-Kingsville has 393 undergraduates, 279 graduate students and 12 doctoral students for a total of 684 prospective graduates. Graduation is on Friday, Dec. 14. and will be divided into three ceremonies at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Each ceremony will be held at the Steinke Physical Education Center.
Last spring, the number of prospective graduates in each ceremony was rather large and unfortunately, many guests were not able to find a seat and were required to wait in the entrance area. Some universities in Texas limit the number of guests each prospective graduate may invite, but that is not the practice at TAMUK.
Graduates are allowed to invite as many family members and friends to commencement as they wish. But, to ensure sufficient guest seating this fall, an additional ceremony has been added. So on Dec. 14, there will be three ceremonies compared to only two ceremonies in Fall 2017.
During the semester the university hosted many events, fairs and activities for potential and upcoming graduates to prepare for their future. Events such as Grad Fest helped students understand loan repayment options, graduate programs, career opportunities, and becoming an active alumni member. As potential graduates entered their last semester it was both a scary and exciting time for students.
“I’m so ready for Dec. 14. I just finished up my last paper for one of my classes and it hit me,” said Fatima Tyler, an accounting major.
Students have been prepared and molded for this moment as they finally walk across the stage and receive their diplomas, but they are not the only people excited for “Pomp and Circumstance.”
Administrators, professors, lecturers, staff and faculty members attend these significant commencements to showcase how proud, excited and honored they are for students to reach their goals. Many of them are equally if not more excited for graduation.
Dr. George Allen Rasmussen, the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs has attended many graduations during in his tenure here but his favorite part of graduation is all thanks to the students.
“It is the smiles and exuberance of each student (and their families) when they walk across the stage. Whether a candidate for graduation is the first in the family to graduate from college or whether a candidate is following the path taken by other family members, earning a college degree is one of life’s significant milestones. It represents the culmination of hard work, persistence, and dedication usually made possible by the love and encouragement of family and friends together with the support of faculty and staff. Sharing the occasion with the candidates, and joining the celebration with their families and friends is my favorite part of graduation,” Rasmussen said.
Graduation sometimes comes once, twice or even three times in a lifetime, but to graduate from high school, college or a university is no easy task. Some 33.4 percent of Americans 25 or older said they had completed a bachelor’s degree or higher. So to be able to walk across the stage for an associates’, bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate is quite the accomplishment. Not everyone has the opportunity or perseverance to graduate from Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Graduation is different for every student, but the end result is always the same, you did it.
“My favorite thing about graduation is seeing the looks of pride and accomplishment on the faces of our students as they walk across the stage, motion to their families, and mouth the phrase, ‘We did it.’ Our students never take for granted the love and support from their family and friends as a major component to their successes,” said Terisa Riley, the senior vice president for Fiscal and Student Affairs.