Fair gives seniors graduation information
Campus Times
February 28, 1997
Senior Gilbert Gomez, with his parents Gilbert and Paula, was one of
the many graduates purchasing class rings at the Jostens ring booth at the
Graduation Fair on Saturday. Jostens one of several commencement service
companies that attended the second annual event.
As a result of last year's success, the University of La Verne sponsored
its second annual Graduation Fair on Saturday, Feb. 22, in Sneaky Park.
The fair allowed students, both undergraduate and graduate, the opportunity
to receive further information in regards to the 1997 Commencement.
Representatives from various programs and services were available to
provide the information essential in making Commencement a success.
Participants included graduate programs, as well as a variety from services
including University Photo, Collegiate Cap & Gown, Jostens, Lordsburg
Productions, Graphic Awards, the University Bookshoppe, Aramark Dining Services
and Commencement Flowers.
Throughout the event, representatives of the information booth raffled
a variety of merchandise and gift certificates contributed by each service.
As visitors walked along the sidewalk, each booth provided anything
from complementary drinks and popcorn to order forms for the purchase of
caps and gowns.
"This is my 10th year working as video recorder for the University
of La Verne, and the Fair makes graduation preparations much more convenient
for the student and myself," said Bill Neill, president of Lordsburg
Productions, which videotapes the ceremony.
When asked about the advantage of the Graduation Fair, Neill said, "The
fair gives us the opportunity to receive pre-sale orders for graduation
videos, giving the company [Lordsburg Productions] an idea of the quantity
of videos we will produce."
Prospective graduates had the chance to make graduation arrangements
with representatives directly, rather than through the telephone or mail.
Several attendants commented that the presence of service representatives
eased their fears and concerns.
Kimberly Light, a senior psychology major, said, "The fair has
been helpful in getting all my stuff done before graduation. The Jostens
announcements service was most helpful; I could make my arrangements now,
instead of sending everything through the mail."
Visiting the University of La Verne's main campus also allowed students
from other ULV campuses the opportunity to become familiar with the setting
prior to the graduation date.
"There are several ULV students who do not attend the main campus,"
said Josie Schneider, academic records analyst for the Registrar's Office.
"When students from other La Verne campuses arrive for graduation,
they feel awkward because they've never been to the La Verne campus. The
Graduation Fair gives these students the opportunity to tour the campus
and become familiar with it prior to the commencement exercises," Schneider
said.
For such reasons, Registrar Marilyn Davies demonstrated a visual seating
chart for the Commencement ceremony. In this manner, students had an idea
where they would be seated, and could inform family and friends of what
side to sit on.
"The entire Graduation Fair was pretty cool," said Ken Gardner,
a graduate student pursuing a master's degree in leadership management.
"If the Graduation Fair was not available to me, my graduation package
would be sitting on my desk, waiting for me to mail everything in."
Overall, the second annual Graduation Fair seemed to have a positive
outcome, with the number of participants and students demonstrating its
success.
"It definitely went well when we introduced it to the University
last year, and this year proved to be an even greater success," said
Steve Eubanks, assistant to the associate dean of student affairs and one
of several coordinators of the Graduation Fair. "As long as we get
the same response from students, the Graduation Fair will continue."