Madison Knapp, a senior family and consumer sciences major is assisted with her gown before taking her graduation photo at the Grad Fair. Nikisun Shrestha/The Lion’s Roar

Graduating students, staffs and businesses assembled at the Alumni Center to take part in the Grad Fair for the spring semester.

The two-day event was held on Wednesday, Mar. 8 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Thursday, Mar. 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Representatives from the Alumni Association, Lion Legacy, Balfour, Career Services, Student Publications, Candid Campus Photography and the University Bookstore were involved in the event. 

Students had a positive response towards the event.

“I think it’s very well organized and it’s a great atmosphere,” said Brittani LeBlanc, a senior management major. “It has everything I need to get taken care of. I think it’s great that we can get all of our announcements together.”

LeBlanc also shared the things she learned from the event.

“I learned about graduate programs,” said LeBlanc. “We learn about the Career Services about how to get jobs. They have services that allow us to find jobs once we graduate, and getting all of our gear we need to get across the stage.” 

Balfour was one of the businesses involved in the event that sells the students their rings and graduation announcement. Pat Malone, promotion specialist for Balfour, expressed her experience with the event.

“I have been involved with the Grad Fair for about 15 years,” said Malone. “It’s always well attended and students have enjoyed their one-stop-shopping. They can take care of everything regarding graduation at one time.”

Balfour provided two styles of rings to choose from for men but had more options for the women. Malone explained the process of getting the ring for graduating students. 

“They have to have completed 90 hours to be eligible to get a ring,” said Malone. “They are presented to them at the ring ceremony, which is May 3.” 

President of Candid Campus Photography Joey Fasullo described how the event has grown over the years.

“We’ve been involved probably since about 1998,” said Fasullo. “They have progressively become more organized. Just better events, learned from one year to the next and improve upon it. The main thing is Southeastern has really grown Grad Fair. We had over 700 students in the past two years. It’s pretty extraordinary.”   

Sarah Brown, a senior criminal justice major shares what it feels like to graduate. 

“I guess it’s just a feeling of relief,” said Brown. “After being through school so long and studying for the past four years here, I guess it’s partially just a relief to be finally graduating.”

Brown thought the Grad Fair was of great use and suggested more students to take part in it.  

“I think it’s been pretty helpful,” said Brown. “It’s definitely something that the students should take advantage of. I liked how they had the Career Services and the way we can have cap and gown as well.”

Graduating students had to fill out  forms before taking their graduation photos. They also visited various tables that belonged to the Alumni Association, Balfour, Career Services and University Bookstore. 
Nikisun Shrestha/The Lion’s Roar