While this year’s class of more than 600 graduates finishes finals once and for all, a whole crew of dedicated faculty and administrators are working hard to put together a ceremony that will pay tribute to all their achievements here at Baker University.
The commencement ceremony for the class of 2007 will begin at 1 p.m. May 20 in Collins Center. The School of Professional and Graduate Studies undergraduates and graduate students, and the school of education graduate students will follow at 4:30 p.m. in the same location.
Associate Dean of Student Life Shelby Coxon said there is no limit to how many guests each student can invite to the ceremony.
“I would recommend they get here early because the gym does fill up, and it quickly becomes standing room only,” Coxon said.
Director of Records and Registration Ruth Miller said 128 students in the College of Arts and Sciences will graduate this spring, while the school of nursing will see 39 students honored. These numbers are pretty average, Miller said.
Connie Beene, registrar at Baker’s School of Professional and Graduate Studies, said the school of education will have 195 students graduating this May, while the school of graduate studies has a class of 317 students receiving diplomas.
The keynote speaker at the 1 p.m. graduation ceremony will be Baker alumnus Curt Eddy, the senior vice president of sales for Hollywood Records.
David Adkins, vice chancellor of external affairs at the Kansas University Medical Center, will speak at the 4:30 p.m. ceremony. Adkins served in the Kansas Senate from 2000 to 2005 after being a Kansas state representative for four years.
Senior Chris Gaylor is receiving his degree in business and has begun the task of interviewing for positions.
“It’s been hard getting jobs around Kansas because it seems employers want a ton of experience and not just a degree,” Gaylor said.
Senior Cole Ridley is majoring in psychology with a minor in theater.
“I have a job in Topeka at a counseling center, but that is only until I find the graduate school that is the best fit for me,” Ridley said.
Ridley offers one piece of advice to underclassmen.
“Don’t take any second for granted,” Ridley said. “Every interaction is a possible friendship, and you should not let it pass on by.”