‘Dear prospective graduate’

By Lawren Shepard
Campus Life Editor

After years of hard work, late nights, term papers and 8 a.m. classes, your graduation day is finally here. You’re a little nervous but very excited as you don your black cap and gown. Cheered on by family, surrounded by classmates, you hold your head high as your name is called. You proudly stride towards the stage…

…step in a gopher hole and fall flat on your face.

Welcome to one of the endless possibilities of UNCP’s 2004 Spring Commencement.

The date? Saturday, May 8.

The time? 10 a.m.

The place? The old soccer field next to Lumbee Hall.

Yes, that soccer field. And if you look just past it, you’ll be treated to the inspiring sight of the temporary science and math classrooms. Turn the other way and you’ll see the scenic construction site for the Jones athletic center.

Not exactly what you had in mind?

I know that the administration here does their best to acquiesce to students’ hopes for the commencement proceedings and that they have their reasons for choosing this site to host the event.

Among those very valid reasons is the need for enough space to allow each graduate five tickets to give to family and friends, and the prominent lack of that kind of room here on campus.

I would like to point out, however, that there are other places within reach of Pembroke that would be large enough to host the big crowds, and likely could be booked for this special event.

Perhaps money is an issue. However, if it is possible for UNCP to pay thousands of dollars every year to bring famous speakers to campus, then I feel graduating students are owed a better locale than the old soccer field. After all, this ceremony is ideally the culminating event of students’ four or more years of dedication to their studies and this school.

Although the commencement speaker, Sen. Elizabeth Dole, may appreciate seeing the construction taking place here at UNCP, I don’t think she would enjoy meeting the winged, biting wildlife of Pembroke up close and personal. As anyone who has ever lived in this area knows, May is usually rainy, and mosquitoes and gnats are plentiful.

The soccer field also creates a serious problem for students with elderly or handicapped relatives who wish to attend the ceremony. Graduations usually last around two hours, a long time for anyone to be out in the summer sun, but such exposure could be potentially dangerous to the elderly and young children.

I hope it will be possible for the class of 2004 to have a wonderful college graduation, and preferably one where the ant population of Pembroke is not among the guests of honor. One thing is certain: if held on the soccer field, the 2004 Spring Commencement will indeed be “unforgettable.”