THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS

Countdown to Commencement to take over Don Morris Room Tuesday and Wednesday

Students+take+photos+in+commencement+gear+during+Countdown+to+Commencement+Nov.+5%2C+2014%2C+in+the+Don+Morris+Room.+

Kelly Pate

Students take photos in commencement gear during Countdown to Commencement Nov. 5, 2014, in the Don Morris Room.

Marshall University’s semi-annual Countdown to Commencement is 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday in the Memorial Student Center’s Don Morris Room.

Countdown to Commencement prepares graduating students for the spring commencement.

“It’s bringing all the services related to commencement to a central location, said Roberta Ferguson of the Marshall registrar. “It’s designed to be convenient for the graduates to take an hour or two to come and take care of everything instead of going around campus to the various administration offices. We find that a lot of the graduates bring their family members with them so we try to make it a really festive atmosphere. We have refreshments and some background music. We try to make it truly a celebration for the graduates to celebrate their educational achievements.”

Multiple organizations and services are setting up at the event to give seniors the opportunity to fully prepare for graduation.

Graduates can purchase cap and gowns, class rings, graduation announcements, etc.

HigherOne and Financial Aid members are attending the event to complete loan exit counseling and allow graduates to pick up information about debt management and loan payment and consolidation.

The Graduate College and Career Services members are attending to discuss graduate programs and after graduation plans.

Seniors will also have the opportunity to get pictures taken in a cap and gown.

“Even if we have a rainy day, we hope our graduates will make an effort to come in,” Ferguson said. “I’m sure they will find it worth while if they do.”

Sara Ryan can be contacted at [email protected].