One month ago today, 232 WSU Vancouver students became alumni
Fellow Cougs,
A month ago today, as the fall semester ended, an eerie feeling lingered through campus while students finished their last set of final exams. For 232 vancougs “finals week” was also our final week of school at WSU Vancouver.
Graduating in December does not pack the same punch as graduating in the spring. It feels a lot like being in limbo, waiting for that “so what?” factor that will eventually come five months later with a full-fledged commencement ceremony. Yes, the excitement of completing all of our courses is extremely gratifying. Yes, we feel accomplished for finally receiving a degree and are grateful to the Office of Student Involvement for gifting us a really awesome “proud graduate” beer glass. But something still does not measure up to the same level of excitement as walking across that stage at the end of finals week like our fellow spring graduates will do after their finals conclude in May.
“Regardless of where students attend school, if, like me, they are graduating in the winter, it seems to lack the same level of excitement.”
Nikki Johnson, WSU Vancouver December 2018 graduate
WSU Vancouver biology major, Eric Battison said graduating in December is bittersweet and that he is unclear about spring commencement registration deadlines.
“Honestly it feels weird. Like it really isn’t a special thing,” Battison said. “I haven’t really gotten any guidance from the school about when I have deadlines for getting (graduation) gowns set up next year (2019).”
Graduates from other states, such as my hometown of Sacramento, Calif., are also feeling the effects of winter graduation. A long-time friend of mine, recent Sacramento State University graduate Daniel Wilson, said his campus used to be similar to Pullman, hosting both a winter and spring graduation ceremony. Wilson claims the university recently ceased winter commencement to preserve funding.
“It is what it is. It definitely won’t feel as special though,” Wilson said.
The end of nearly a decade-long road is finally here and I could not be more thrilled. Like many other students, I worked the entire time I was in school, not only to pay bills, but to have something to offer potential employers upon graduation. This past year I worked two jobs and took a full course load, all while maintaining above a 3.0 grade point average.
It is not uncommon for students to put themselves through school by working full or part-time jobs, both on and off campus. Recent WSU Vancouver Integrated Strategic Communication graduate Kenny White has worked in retail since high school and is excited about finding a job after graduating.
“I will be going straight into the job market. I’ve been grinding the crappy retail life since high school. I’m ready for new things,” White said.
Regardless of where students attend school, if like me, they are graduating in the winter, it seems to lack the same level of excitement due to the hiatus between graduation and the commencement ceremony. But one thing we all have in common is the thrill of finishing school and walking across the stage with our fellow classmates in May. That being said, go cougs!
Nikki Johnson
WSU Vancouver Class of 2018
Former Team Editor at The VanCougar Newsmagazine
Former Poetry Editor at The Salmon Creek Journal
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