LOGOS Student Newspaper

Logos photo by Bethany Pint
NIACC student Nancy Paine holds a resume while speaking to Mary Peterson and Jolyn Berry, both of Community National Bank at the Career and Internship Fair held at NIACC on April 2. Paine said she plans to enter the workforce after completing NIACC this summer.

Approximately 700 to take the stage for Graduation

On May 2, 2008, approximately 600 students along with nearly 100 December graduates will take the stage to receive their diplomas at NIACC.

There will be a graduation reception sponsored by the NIACC Alumni Association prior to the graduation ceremony in the Muse Norris Conference Center from 5-7 p.m. that evening.

Those planning to attend the ceremony should RSVP by Friday, April 25 by returning the card to one of several boxes located in the Student Services Office, McAllister Hall, the Buettner Careers Building or the library.

It is a good idea to take pictures during this time Mary Wendt, assistant registrar at NIACC, said. “Everybody’s together and besides, caps and gowns have to be turned in after the ceremony,” Wendt said.

Students should have verified name spellings by April 17 because names will appear in the graduation announcement and be engraved on the diploma or degree as the student indicates on the graduation application. If a graduate is unable to attend the graduation ceremony, the student should have submitted a written statement to the Record’s Office stating the reason to be excused by April 17 as well.

“Students should make every effort to attend the ceremony,” Wendt said. “(NIACC) School policy does state that attending commencement is one of the degree or diploma requirements.”

Any special accommodations for graduates or special guests should notify Wendt or Michelle Petznick, registrar at NIACC, by April 30.

Before graduation day, graduation candidates should have taken the post-assessment exam and been fitted for caps and gowns.

Any curriculum changes made to spring or summer schedules that would affect the degree status should check with a counselor or the registrar before graduation day also.

If one wants an academic transcript released after the graduation notation is on record, they should file a transcript request with the Records Office.

On graduation day, candidates should be at the Activity Center by 7 p.m. with their caps and gowns. Once at the Activity Center, students should pick up their name cards and verify pronunciation with announcer Borden Plunkett, a Communication and Speech instructor at NIACC.

Graduating students are advised to park in the parking lot west of the Buettner Career building to allow guests more space in the east parking lots.

According to the Registrar’s Office, traffic usually backs up on Highway 122. Because traffic and parking can become a problem after 7 p.m., the Registrar’s Office recommends arriving early to ensure adequate time for pre-graduation ceremonies and good parking.

Due to limited space in the NIACC gym, the overflow of family and friends will be seated in the auditorium and Activity Center. There will be a closed-circuit television broadcast in those areas as well.

The commencement ceremony will be televised on the Mason City local cable channel (Ch. 4) starting at 7:15 p.m. and ending at 8:30 p.m.

The graduation ceremony will begin at 7:30 p.m. Doors to the NIACC gym, auditorium and Activity Center will open at approximately 6:30 p.m.

A professional photographer will be taking photos of each graduate as he or she receives awards. Those pictures will be available for purchase.

Any questions about the graduation ceremony should be directed to Michelle Petznick at (641) 422-4205 or Mary Wendt at (641) 422-4229.