For seniors, graduation conjures memories and emotions, reminding them of when they first set foot on their college campus.
Upon commencement, students gain an opportunity to build a future and forge a new identity. A college degree offers distinction, but it does not make one better, only different. It opens doors and leads to so many opportunities.
As seniors at Colorado State University-Pueblo prepare for graduation, there are many aspects of college to be reminded of.
Katherine Smith has attended CSU-Pueblo for the past two years and will be graduating with a bachelor’s of science in exercise science health promotion and recreation with an emphasis in health promotion and wellness
“With a week till graduation I am nervous, scared, happy, excited and above all ready to be done with my undergrad,” she said.
After graduation Smith will finish up remaining credit hours with an internship in Nepal, working with an organization to implement health education classes and a medical clinic into the community. After completion of her internship, she hopes to find a job in the field of international health and disease prevention and work in underdeveloped nations.
Shelby Aebischer will graduate with a degree in mass communications with an emphasis in integrated communications. She will be interning with Campus Crusade for Christ for a year upon graduating.
“One of the most memorable times for me during college was probably the end of sophomore year into junior year. I received a $1,500 a semester scholarship with the mass communications department for improved grades,” Aebischer recalled.
Mike Marino will also be graduating with a bachelor’s of science in mass communications with an emphasis in integrated communications.
He has made an effort to give future students important advice.
“Take every opportunity you can and don’t be lazy. Don’t be the normal college kid who is on campus all the time. Go out and try to find people who are doing what you want to do and build a relationship with them. Relationships are so important because you never know what doors might open up,” he said.
Taylor Bachicha, an exercise health promotion major, looks forward to Saturday’s commencement ceremony and the journey she will face as a graduate.
“I am excited and nervous all at the same time. I have worked hard for this day and for my undergraduate so therefore it is exciting to be done. Looking for a job and moving on into the next chapter of my life is what makes me nervous. I am a planner and in this part of my life no matter how much I try to plan my next step there’s still a lot of unknown details,” Bachicha said.
The college experience at CSU-Pueblo has offered many fond memories to its anticipating graduates.
“There are so many memories from this school it’s hard to pick one, but I guess I’d have to go with the National Championship Game in KC, it was such an awesome accomplishment by the football team and I was glad I was able to be there to cheer them on,” Smith said.
Claudia Ricklefs looks forward to walking across the stage and receiving her diploma as a mass communications graduate. She wanted to leave behind some advice for the underclassmen and future students of CSU-Pueblo.
“Just enjoy the time in college. It goes by way too quickly,” she said.
The commencement ceremony for the class of 2015 will be held at the Southwest Motors Event Center at the Colorado State Fair Grounds at 10 a.m. on May 2.
