WE’LL MEET AGAIN

ANNA MECHLING Lead News Writer A.Mechling@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

Graduation is a time for students to have graduation parties and take part in ceremonies.

Along with celebrating with friends, family and other fellow students, many students celebrate graduation by decorating their cap.

Students often look forward to graduation because designing their cap can be a creative outlet by honoring an important quote that’s stuck with them through school or displaying their artistic abilities.

Even though the in-person graduation commencement ceremony is postponed until September, many students have already taken the liberty of decorating their caps.

“I didn’t actually know you could design your own cap,” Nicholas Richardson (senior, fine arts) said. “I am a fine arts major, so I’m artistic, but I’m not entirely sure if I’ll decorate my cap or not. I don’t plan on having a graduation party. I am probably just going to celebrate with my family.”

Many students aren’t letting the postponed graduation commencement ceremony get in their way of celebrating their graduation day.

“I decided to still decorate my cap because I wanted to do all the things I planned months ago for my graduation,” Imani Favors (senior, psychology) said. “I’m not having a huge graduation party like I originally planned, but I’m having a small get together at my apartment just to celebrate this major accomplishment.”

Some students have chosen to follow through with plans previously made, but just adapt them to the COVID-19 social distancing policies.

“I decided to do everything I planned,” said Favors. “And just modified it to fit the new ‘normal’ because I still want to congratulate myself for finishing four years of college. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and I’m so proud of myself and proud I finished.”

To many students, decorating the graduation cap has special meaning to their college journey and life, and having a graduation party when things are open and safe is something they look forward to.

“I still decorated my graduation cap because it still represents all my hard work,” Anita Morrison (senior, early childhood/special education) said. “It has an importance to me even though it’s just a decoration. We may not have a ceremony, but we are still graduating, and I wanted to take my pictures to remember this moment.”

Some students have decided to postpone graduation parties until summer.

“I hope to have my graduation party in the summer if we can,” said Morrison. “I want the chance to celebrate with my family and loved ones. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished, and I know my friends and family are too.” (Facebook) Seniors decorate caps with a quote or something sarcastic or funny that sums up their college career in a nutshell.

Students weigh in on best graduation gifts

ANNA MECHLING Lead News Writer A.Mechling@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

As students are continuing to work on material for their online classes, The semester is slowly coming to an end. It’s been one full of ups and downs for faculty, staff and students. For others, it was their last semester at IUP before they would graduate.

Graduating students were expecting their last semester to be the best one yet, Their final semester at IUP was one they will never forget.

Although in-person classes were moved to online platforms only, President Michael Driscoll and IUP assured students would still graduate.

President Driscoll sent out an email to seniors who were supposed to have their graduation ceremony in May to vote for an alternative ceremony, either in September or December.

For graduation presents, it is typical for seniors to receive money or common household

items since they are likely to move into their own apartments or houses after graduation.

However, money is probably the most gifted thing since students can choose to save, pay off their student debt or buy things they know they may need.

“I’d say money and dress clothes would be the best graduation present for me, personally,” Kyle Varone (senior, marketing) said. “You can’t go wrong with receiving money because you can save it or spend it on things you know you’ll use.”

For some, a version of a care package can be the best gift.

“I also think care packages for people who are shortly moving out of their parents’ home are great gifts,” said Varone. “I know I can use all the kitchen material Stationary sets and gift cards make great graduation gifts for seniors.

and bathroom supplies once I move out on my own.”

Seniors can also use monetary gifts to afford a final graduation trip before they start working in the professional world.

“I think good gifts are mugs, gift cards, computers or money that can go toward a graduation trip,” Manijah Henry (senior, political science).

Some seniors are hoping a car

might even be a potential graduation gift.

“I think some of the best graduation gifts are money, potentially a car, anything with an emotional attachment that is unique for the person receiving the gift and/or a framed picture of them with a loved one who passed away before their graduation,” Keith Stinnette (senior, exercise science) said.