BC students prepare to graduate
Amber Troupe
Issue date: 5/6/09 Section: News
This spring, numerous students will be graduating with their Associate of Arts degree from Bakersfield College on May 15.
Students were in charge and the initiators of their graduation process except for the actual ceremony, proceedings and application process. They do have to come to the counselors and say that they have enough credits and meet the requirements posted by BC.
Sandra Sierra, the department chair of counseling, said that the counseling department only handles the preliminary checks. Students would have to go to Admissions and Records.
"Students just bring the graduation application, and we go through it with them to check to see if they meet the requirements, like required credits and grades," Sierra said.
Sue Vaughn, director of enrollment services at BC, said that students could choose to participate in the ceremony or just get their degree. There is only one ceremony given per fiscal year, so that means that everyone who graduated during the summer, spring and fall months are able to attend the commencement.
"We sent out a letter around April 1 to tell students exactly what they need to do for things like caps and gowns. The packet also includes final details for ceremony," Vaughn said.
Students who qualify for awards and honors will wear gold tassels instead of the traditional black and white and gold stoles. Students can either purchase caps and gowns for $45 or borrow them for a $20 deposit that will be refunded if the gowns and caps or brought back before the two-week expiration date.
The ceremony will be preceded by an honor brunch hosted by the Bakersfield College Foundation at 10 a.m. on May 15 for the honorees. The graduation ceremony will take place at 7 p.m., with students receiving their diplomas from BC President Greg Chamberlain. There will not be a practice for the commencement.
Students have the choice of whether they want to have their pictures taken with the president as they graduate, or have portraits taken on Tuesday, May 12 and Wednesday, May 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the bookstore. Students spoke about their experiences during their time at BC and what they were going to do after they graduate.
Students were in charge and the initiators of their graduation process except for the actual ceremony, proceedings and application process. They do have to come to the counselors and say that they have enough credits and meet the requirements posted by BC.
Sandra Sierra, the department chair of counseling, said that the counseling department only handles the preliminary checks. Students would have to go to Admissions and Records.
"Students just bring the graduation application, and we go through it with them to check to see if they meet the requirements, like required credits and grades," Sierra said.
Sue Vaughn, director of enrollment services at BC, said that students could choose to participate in the ceremony or just get their degree. There is only one ceremony given per fiscal year, so that means that everyone who graduated during the summer, spring and fall months are able to attend the commencement.
"We sent out a letter around April 1 to tell students exactly what they need to do for things like caps and gowns. The packet also includes final details for ceremony," Vaughn said.
Students who qualify for awards and honors will wear gold tassels instead of the traditional black and white and gold stoles. Students can either purchase caps and gowns for $45 or borrow them for a $20 deposit that will be refunded if the gowns and caps or brought back before the two-week expiration date.
The ceremony will be preceded by an honor brunch hosted by the Bakersfield College Foundation at 10 a.m. on May 15 for the honorees. The graduation ceremony will take place at 7 p.m., with students receiving their diplomas from BC President Greg Chamberlain. There will not be a practice for the commencement.
Students have the choice of whether they want to have their pictures taken with the president as they graduate, or have portraits taken on Tuesday, May 12 and Wednesday, May 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the bookstore. Students spoke about their experiences during their time at BC and what they were going to do after they graduate.
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