As commencement approaches, University of Memphis seniors areleft with the decision of whether to attend the graduation ceremonyat The Pyramid May 1.
"Coming from a larger university, I think we have a great manystudents who actually decide to walk," said Angie Hollis,graduation analyst at the College of Communication and Fine Arts."A very small percentage of students decide not to walk. I'mactually surprised the percentage is not larger."
Marion Emflie, commencement director, said approximately 1,200out of a possible 1,500 graduates will attend commencement, basedon past trends.
"It's a formal ceremony most students don't appreciate," said Uof M alumnus John Lawrence. "It's long and boring, and I canunderstand those things.
"If students don't think enough of it to attend, they ought todo it for their friends and family because it's a proud day forthem. It was meaningful to watch my son graduate."
However, some students don't attend the commencement ceremonybecause their families aren't able to attend, Hollis said.
"Some people might be too embarrassed to come because otherpeople get big applauses (when their name is called)," said DarnellPirtle, senior elementary education major.
Lindsey Ragsdale, senior education major, said many students arehappy just to get their diploma and leave, but not her.
"I have a lot of friends I'm graduating with, so I'm excitedabout hanging out with them at the ceremony," Ragsdale said.
Students who decide to attend commencement could receive apleasant surprise similar to the one Lawrence received at hisgraduation in 1970.
"I had one required course left to take," Lawrence said."However, my professor wouldn't post the grades until the end ofthe course.
"When I checked on graduation day, he still had not posted them.I didn't know I was graduating until I showed up for theceremony."
Rick Boals, a 1972 U of M graduate, recalled student attitudesregarding commencement when he graduated.
"There was more tolerance back then for special occasions thanthere is among students now," Boals said. "(Commencement) was aspecial event for me because it represented the culmination of alot of hard work and an important goal I had reached in mylife."
That outlook has not wavered among some seniors who plan toattend the ceremony.
"(Attending commencement) is like putting the icing and thecherry on top of the cake," Pirtle said. "It's a one-timedeal."
Education major Angela Rhea agreed.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience," she said. "I shouldenjoy this moment. I would not even think of not attending."
Students who decide to stay home could be depriving themselvesof a very special experience, Boals said.
"There are a lot of events that take on added importance withthe passage of time," he said. "Students should consider this whenmaking their decision. There are some events in life you can neverdo over again."
