Prickly Pear, Yearbook of Abilene Christian University, 2002 Page: 68

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Graduation an emotional time for seniors

A almost 460 seniors and approximately 50
graduate students said good-bye to ACU on
May 11. They left with the tears, huggings
and laughter that can only occur during such a
happy but emotional time.
The graduating students, their escorts and their
family and friends crowded into Moody Coliseum to
say good-bye and to witness an event that will be
remembered for years to come.
For Glenda Knight, director of University Events,
this event is the time for each graduate to remember
the years and the events that can only occur during
college and at ACU. The graduates have left their
marks on their departments, faculty and friends.
"Every graduate on the floor has a story," Knight
said.
Although graduation looks easy and flows just
right to the people participating in the commencement
ceremony, the actual event takes weeks to plan
with numerous people helping out. Not only does
University Events help plan it, but the provost office,
Registrar, Alumni Association and individual departments
help coordinate the event
"It really is a coordinated effort," Knight said. "It
takes all the departments working together to pull
this off every year."
Without all the departments helping out the event
might not come out as well as it does. The Registrar's
office and individual departments and colleges send
notices to seniors and holds Chapel to allow students
to turn in their information for graduation. Seniors
gain information from these meetings like when they
can buy their gown and mortarboard and the hood
that designated their degree. The alumni office helps

to coordinate events like the Senior Dinner the day
before commencement. While the University Events
office plans the actual event, the provost's office
plans who will speak at commencement and how the
program will be run.
All in all, the day means a new beginning for
graduating seniors and their families and the time for
more planning for the next graduation ceremony.
-Ashley Kilburn

Coo-BM