5/31/2016 Graduation Issue

2016 Graduation Issue

CAROLYN DUFF | THE DEPAULIA

2 | Graduation Guide. May 31, 2016.

How you know it’s time to graduate The top 4 signs that you need to move on

By Matthew Paras Editor-in-Chief

There’s never a better time to ponder what you’re doing with your life then when one of your former classmates is now a guest speaker in another class two years later. There I was, sitting without a job lined up for the fall, and there he was: the next member of “Spotlight,” or whatever.

My case is this dude already had a pretty successful job, he’s

1.

When you walk down Kenmore Avenue near the library, you recognize no one smoking I’ve never been one to smoke — I’ve been told I’m not cool enough — but a lot of the people I met freshman year often hung out there.

As the years passed, I’d see people that I’d slightly know and give the cordial “sup” nod to them.

Now, there’s no one.

2.

They know your order at Brownstones before you even have to say it

It’s been four years and you still have the same damn order every time: everything bagel with extra plain cream cheese and coffee.

You’ve graduated from meal plan money to your hard earned cash, but it’s just something about that bagel. Or maybe it’s the cream cheese.

killing it and I chose to do the five-year program.

I’ve been here too long.

But besides former classmates now being guest speakers, here are other signs that if you’re like me — whether it’s concluding your fifth or fourth year — you need to move on from college as soon as possible.

3.

You have no idea where anything is in the Student Center

Why the hell are you serving me a burrito? I just want a sandwich because I’m on the go and I don’t have time to walk to Snarf’s. Where did the sandwich place go?

And what happened to the DDR machine?

Why are people studying? I just want to see someone play DDR while I eat. Is that so hard?

4.

Songs and movies from freshman year have a different meaning to some people

What do you mean you loved “Firework” by Katy Perry at the end of your middle school graduation? Oh my god.

& Circumstance Pomp

Great graduation speakers of years past

By Danielle Church Staff Writer

Every June, DePaul students walk into Allstate Arena dressed in blue caps and gowns to celebrate the end of their college journey and transition into the real world.

Most aspects of the graduation ceremony stay the same from year to year, but the one thing that changes are the commencement speakers.

In 2001, purple lights flooded the commencement stage, while 81-year-old American jazz drummer Louie Bellson jammed out on his drum set with the DePaul Jazz Ensemble.

“That man went to town and he was stunning,” Vice President of Commencement Kelly Johnson said. “Absolutely stunning.”

A few other notable speakers who have been at DePaul’s commencement include former U.S. Sen. Paul Simon of Illinois, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, arts administrator Ben Cameron and film producer Steve James.

Although in the past there have been speakers with more fame, this year, the list consists of people who have had major success but are lesser known.

Commencement speakers for this year’s ceremonies include refugee and immigrant advocate Edwin Silverman, National Public Radio education correspondent Claudio Sanchez, theater scholar Todd London, singer-songwriter and actress Lila Downs, chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Martin Castro, software architect Kerrie Holley and CocaCola CFO Kathy Waller.

Senior Maeve Thorburn is perfectly content with the speakers chosen for this year’s ceremonies.

She said fame cannot outweigh real advice that will help both her and the rest of the class of 2016 as they start their careers.

“Although a celebrity speaker would be exciting and memorable, having a speaker from inside the business world gives us direct insight into the journeys of those before us,” Thorburn said. “Seeing the success these people have achieved and hearing their advice is valuable as we set out into the world.”

In order to ensure Thorburn and her fellow classmates hear the

best speech, a decision first has to be made by each of the six colleges on who they believe would best fit the role.

Each college puts together a list of three to four people they have in mind to speak at commencement.

Although how they come to a list of their nominees may differ, each college has to have their speakers vetted through DePaul’s Office of Public Relations and Communications (OPRC). It is OPRC’s job to then decide if the individual would be appropriate to deliver a keynote address at one of the commencement ceremonies.

According to Johnson, the office looks for individuals who have achieved a certain level of accomplishment in their lives that speaks to the mission of the institution.

“It’s not just ‘we want to get famous people,’” Johnson said.

“We want people whose lives speak to Vincentian values, the questions of access, everything that involves social justice and anything that defines DePaul as an institution.”

Once they have been vetted through OPRC, it’s up to DePaul President Rev. Dennis Holtschneider C.M. to make the final decision. If Holtschneider believes the nominee is fit for the role, he will send out a formal invitation to them asking to speak at commencement.

DePaul then provides the speakers with compensation only for his or her airfare, hotel and ground transportation once in Chicago, but not for anything else.

“I will stand by this forever and a day,” Johnson said. “DePaul University does not provide any sort of stipend or honorarium.

When we invite someone to be a commencement speaker, it is out of respect for his or her accomplishments. This is not a gig.”

Johnson said depending on the speaker, they may receive an honorary degree. An honorary degree is a doctor of humane letters or a doctor of laws, which is an acknowledgment of achievement.

It’s an attempt to recognize somebody who has reached a certain level of accomplishment.

Each of the speakers chosen this year will receive an honorary degree.

Graduation Guide. May 31, 2016.| 3

Dean Kamen, 2007 Medical technology inventor

Mae C. Jemison, 2007

First African-American woman to travel to space

Associate professor and chair in the Saskia Sassen, 2009 Department Sociologist and author of “The Global of Leader- City” concept ship, Language and Cu r r i c u lu m Sonia Soltero said her nominee Sanchez is especially deserving of this Alex Kotlowitz, 2007 honor and a Journalist and author of “There Are chance to speak at No Children Here” DePaul’s commencement ceremony for the College of In getting ready for his speech, Education.

Sanchez is not nervous so much Soltero met Sanchez a few as he is anxious. He has been a years ago when she co-sponsored reporter for so long, working for a Latino education and journalism NPR since 1989, that he’s used to seminar at DePaul with the Latino speaking in front of people. It’s just Policy Forum. Sanchez was the he feels a certain responsibility keynote speaker then and she was towards students. very impressed.

“You feel the responsibility In fact, she is very happy he will to say something meaningful,” be at graduation this year because Sanchez said. “That makes me a it not only is good to have someone little apprehensive, but if I work on speaking out about a topic she is (the speech) long enough and feel very passionate about, but also confident that what I’m saying will because he helps represent a part ring true, then the nervousness or of the minority population. the anxiety goes away.”

“I think it’s important that Sanchez hopes students walk we bring in minority speakers, away understanding what they’re especially Latinos,” Soltero said. getting into.

“It’s important that everybody gets “I would like people to come a chance to see prominent Latinos away feeling like, ‘you know and prominent minorities.” there have been ways of helping When Sanchez received the children,’” Sanchez said. “To feel invitation, he simply couldn’t say like they have a role to play rather no. than they’re only bystanders and “I got an offer I couldn’t refuse, they may not have an impact on you know? A free trip to Chicago,” the children they come across or Sanchez said. “But no seriously, whatever capacity they’re going I was very flattered. It will be a to end up in. It’s hopefulness, the chance for me to vent.” hopefulness of feeling like they, By vent, Sanchez means he and this is a cliché now, but that will be able to talk about things they can make a difference.” in his speech that are often “very This is exactly the kind of thing hard to put into stories.” From his Johnson said DePaul looks for in understanding, DePaul wanted a each speaker’s theme too. reporter’s notebook. They wanted “Obviously if you’re invited to know: what are the stories to give a commencement speech, behind the stories? Why does he you can assume we’re hoping for think they make a difference? hope and optimism, but more What are the larger issues he sees importantly, challenges. What can in education after reporting on you say to a new generation of education for as long as he has? educators and civic leaders, and “It’s really more like the musings depending on who you are, what of the reporter who has been do you have to say to the next covering this issue for so long, and generation?” has come away feeling like there is so much more work to do, as the cliché goes,” Sanchez said.

HONORABLE 4 | Graduation Guide. May 31, 2016.

Miranda Mo

An international student who found her place though leadership and Greek life.

KIRSTEN ONSGARD | THE DEPAULIA

On her first day of high school, Miranda Mo didn’t quite feel like she fit in – and not just because she felt like she made the wrong fashion choice.

As a Chinese student living with host parents in Oregon, Mo – wearing a cat sweater while others donned flashier attire – was out of her cultural element. Her new high school was small, primarily white and she could only speak Mandarin Chinese with two other students.

At home, school meant no makeup, no open dating and wearing uniforms; in Oregon, it was flipped. “(The transition) was definitely not as smooth as I dreamed it

Sarah Callahan

A doctoral student with one foot in the lab and one in the community.

It’s one thing to know about a societal problem, and another thing to stare it in the face.

Sarah Callahan does both.

When a homeless young woman told the community psychology doctoral candidate about the issue of homeless youth in Rodgers Park, Callahan asked to see where they stayed: a tiny, maggot-filled room.

And one-by-one, she pulled them out.

“She took me around to all these places, and I just started grabbing people,” Callahan said.

Out of necessity, she launched a non-profit called the Lotus Organization and housed them for more than six months, found them jobs and enrolled them in local high schools. Today, the organization places young LGBTQ women in high schools and jobs.

While Callahan is a researcher by name, she’s also much more: a

would be,” she said. “When I first came here I had so many language barriers and cultural barriers, and it was hard for me to make any friends.”

But today, the senior business major has led Multicultural Greek Council and Delta Phi Lamba all while holding down several jobs and inspiring others in her organizations.

Mo spent three years in the U.S. without her parents before attending DePaul, a choice she attributes to missing the urban environment of her hometown near Hong Kong, China. While she first joined Delta Phi Lamda, the Asian-interest sorority, to make friends and for an authentic American campus experience, it soon grew to mean much more.

“The more I got into it, I got a lot of leadership experiences and professionalism out of it,” she said. “I think it’s just being able to contribute to something that’s helped me grow as a person and leaving a legacy on campus.”

Freshman Jasmine Lowe said she joined Delta Phi Lamda at Mo’s suggestion. Lowe said that Mo has been inspiring because she is an international student who balances her obligations.

“She’s really shown her involvement at DePaul,” Lowe said. “I really think she’s a strong person to move from one country to another – one continent to another.”

But because of this, Mo faces a more difficult prospect when jobseeking: if she does not land a job or enroll in a graduate school that will sponsor her within a year, she will be deported. Currently, she tutors an elementary student in Chinese, does marketing for a friend’s screen printing business and is a program coordinator for Vincentian Service Day. The post grad dream? A business career in the fashion industry.

And this time, she’s found her fitting.

“I feel really comfortable being myself around everyone in this group,” she said. “It’s really nice.”

KIRSTEN ONSGARD | DIGITAL MANAGING EDITOR

mother of two, a volunteer, a mentor, a professor and a doctoral student who is about to complete her degree in three years — about half time.

Her goal: keep one foot in the lab and the other in the community.

Most of Callahan’s work centers on working with people who are reentering the community after incarceration.

“Society really puts the onus on these individuals,” she said. “But it’s not that they’re making poor choices – they’re making choices out of a small handful.”

In her research, that means decreasing stigma and changing policies. While some projects require lab work, she prefers going into the community, entering abandoned buildings, warehouses and alleys.

But for her, it also means working at men’s prisons to show them how to find educational and job opportunities once they leave, something she has been doing for the past four to five years.

Callahan came to DePaul after working as a fraud investigator and was hired by her now-advisor, Lenny Jason, to locate individuals for a research study. She adored the work, and decided to finish her undergraduate degree – and master’s and now Ph.D – at DePaul.

Here, she’s found a home – in more ways than one.

Her two children, aged 8 and 11, have been wholeheartedly accepted by the program, she said. They accompany her to work on days off of school – something Jason has supported – and she does not feel pressured into skipping school plays for work.

But as much as others have helped her, she also hires about a half dozen interns and mentors them.

“You can use the ladder approach: every time you take a step up the ladder, you reach your hand back,” she said. “And then they are going to reach their hand back and pull someone else up. I want to see everyone reach their goals.”

After graduating, Callahan will remain at DePaul to complete a research project and hopes to find a tenure-track position. But what’s most important is that she can find a place that allows her to continue to enact change, both from an ivory tower and on the ground.

“I have a lot of hope, and when I walk into those settings and I look at those faces, I can feel the hope coming off of them,” she said. “I want to cultivate it while it’s still there.”

KIRSTEN ONSGARD | DIGITAL MANAGING EDITOR

Photo courtesy of JALEN GILBERT

KIRSTEN ONSGARD | THE DEPAULIA

MENTION

Jalen Gilb

An aspiring actor wh light on social and ra

Coming from the small town changed how Jalen Gilbert viewed wants to change it.

“My first year at the school I w lot of things,” Gilbert said. “Over t me the space to challenge a lot of m values have transformed, I’ve beco oppression. I gained an understand be and why by focusing on that que Gilbert will graduate from Th of Fine Arts in acting this June. Th has made an impact on campus thr advisor, member of DePaul Educat student actor in various productio “The Misanthrope.”

Gilbert accredits his developm experiences. “Being an RA for th responsibility that won’t allow me t my community, be that helping on an issue that impacts the entire member of ETC, Gilbert displayed welcoming freshmen to DePaul by If Gilbert could tell himself an to enjoy the questions and not to that offices at DePaul, like the C offers ways for helping students com create an atmosphere that prides i respecting people’s human dignity and learning about people different myself,” he said.

After graduation, Gilbert plans create theatrical pieces specificall media portrayal of the black comm “My ultimate goal is to be able t color face trying to achieve ‘The Am this on a big media platform like fi “Learning about my privilege and Holloway and Michael Riley at the introduced me to how blind and un can be to the struggles of those in o have moved me to shed light on ou at the Theatre School.”

Gilbert continues to be inspired in light of recent events, DePaul ha tell my story and open people’s ey of people with marginalized ident people don’t understand and don’t Gilbert said.

Graduation Guide. May 31, 2016. The DePaulia | 5

MEGAN DEPPEN | THE DEPAULIA

NS

bert

ho hopes to shine a acial issues.

When Spencer Everette explains his research to most people, it sounds like rocket science. He’ll humbly explain the difference and leave out the most complicated details, but what the Missouri native and UC Santa Cruz-bound senior won’t tell you is that what he studies, and what he did to get there, is pretty amazing.

In short, he’s been published twice (working on his third), finished three years of research (one year at Stanford), presented his research eight times and was paid by scholarship or grant three times for his work. That’s while he worked part-time as a tutor at Mathnasium and kept up with the honors program.

d to create change as an artist. “Just as shown me how important it is to yes to the perspective from the side tities because the media and most t care to understand our struggles,” JESSICA VILLAGOMEZ | NEWS EDITOR

MATTHEW PARAS | THE DEPAULIA

was really lost and uncertain about a the four years this school has given my views and beliefs. My Christian ome aware of my privilege and my ding of what type of artist I want to estion of what must be done.”

The Theatre School with a Bachelor Throughout his time at DePaul, he rough his involvement as a resident tional Theatre Company (ETC) and ons in the Theatre School including

s to stay in Chicago and write and ly highlighting racial tension and munity. to shed light on the issues people of merican Dream’ I would want to do film or at a big theatre,” Gilbert said. d oppression working with Charee e Center for Intercultural Programs naware people in privileged positions oppressed positions … These things ur stories using the skills I’ve gained

Spencer Everette

A physics whiz who studied, researched and wrote his way to the top.

n of Camden, Mississippi, DePaul d the world and influenced how he

ment as student and actor to these hree years has instilled a sense of to ignore an opportunity to improve ne individual within it or addressing e community,” Gilbert said. As a his pride in the DePaul community, creating orientation shows. nything freshmen year, it would be o rush to find the answers. He said Center for Intercultural Programs, me to understand their identity and itself on including all identities and y. “It taught me that by connecting t than me, I get to learn more about

Five graduates who are have left a big impression on campus — and have a promising future ahead

Nic Moczalla

A stand-up comedian who will work with Chance the Rapper and Vic Mensa.

Seven months ago, Nic Moczalla faced a crisis of conscious.

Set to graduate with a journalism degree, Moczalla wanted to do anything but that.

It’s certainly not rare for someone like Moczalla to feel like that.

Seniors routinely graduate with degrees that they have no interest in pursuing.

But not everyone like Moczalla gets a job where they get to work with artists like Chance the Rapper.

Moczalla has already started as a creative consultant with Haight Brand, a creative agency that serves clients like Chance the Rapper, Vic Mensa, Skillrex and The Roots. Moczalla’s duties include a bit of everything — but his main appeal is that he’s written a comedy sketch that Chance will use for his upcoming project with Apple.

The list is impressive to most people, but maybe most impressive to him. After all, he didn’t even think he would go to college.

“Honestly in high school, I thought I was going to be a death metal drummer touring with a band,” Everette said. But after a few months working at Steak & Shake, he realized that working a minimum wage-side job wasn’t worth chasing the drummer dream.

“I just watched physics shows and I knew I liked science and math. I thought I’d study it in undergrad, and if I liked it I’d go to grad school.”

He came to DePaul coincidentally with some of his best friends from high school, and immersed himself in the small physics department. But DePaul’s No. 1 perk was the city.

In his free-time (if that exists) he goes to concerts at the Metro, Kingston Mines, Lincoln Hall and the Wild Hare & Singing Armadillo Frog Sanctuary. But some of his favorite memories, he said, were when they “went out for a certain purpose and completely failed, and then ended up seeing a section of the city (we) never knew existed.”

His favorite memory —perhaps not so fondly remembered by most people — is the day the temperature dropped to -40 degrees and school was canceled.

“We had four freshmen friends who didn’t want to be stuck in the dorm and couldn’t get food, so we had eight people living in our apartment and we just played games and it was a lot of fun.”

Once he finishes his thesis, he can look forward to starting the PhD program at UC Santa Cruz in cosmology. Set on the beach and a short drive from San Francisco, he’s gearing up for another six years of studying in paradise.

But in the few weeks until he leaves Chicago to spend time in Missouri, then fly out to Santa Cruz, he’ll be spending hours between studying with his friends.

“I’m frustrated that we have finals, graduate and then we go,” Everette said. “You appreciate the time you do have.”

MEGAN DEPPEN | PRINT MANAGING EDITOR

“It’s opened up so many doors, which is funny because I’ve found out that timing is everything,” Moczalla said.

Moczalla reached out to DePaul alum Eric Montanez and pitched himself as someone who was willing to work with anything: he could write sketches, he could edit video, he even could sell merchandise. He wanted to do anything with a creative outlet, and impressed with his work, Haight Brand initially brought him on as an intern.

But now, Moczalla will move into a customized warehouse with his other Haight Brand co-workers and live there full time.

Moczalla compared it to something similar out of Sillicon Valley, where start-up tech companies routinely buy houses to live and work out of them.

There’s definitely perks that come with the job too, Moczalla said. Besides being a creative consultant, Moczalla considers himself a full-time stand-up comedian. He’s gotten to perform and host open mics at the Soho House and other spots around town, through his connections with Haight Brand. Moczalla has also written a movie script that he’s hoping to shop around. He said he’s going to work on shooting a pilot this summer. Moczalla said the pilot could even have cameos from people like Chance the Rapper, his brother or members from the Social Experiment, a band that’s close with Chance.

“They’re a very tight knit group and they don’t have many outsiders,” Moczalla said. “I said ‘if you have anything for me, here’s all the skills I’ve acquired. I’m just desperate for a creative outlet that I can have after college where I can work and grow.’”

And yes, Moczalla has met Chance on multiple occasions. For the release of Chance’s latest mixtape, “Coloring Book,” Moczalla was at the Soho house for the release party, which he called crazy.

“He was just like the president where he really wasn’t stopping to talk to people, just shake hands and move on,” Moczalla said.

“But the first time I met him, he gave me the time of day, found out who I was and who I work with. He listened and loved the fact that I’m a comedy guy ... He is just how you hear him on record — exciting.”

MATTHEW PARAS | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

6 | Graduation Guide. May 31, 2016.

FIRST DAY AND BEYOND

Advice from recent grads for surviving the first weeks of employment

By Megan Deppen Print Managing Editor

Allison Siebold-Guzman

Michael Bragg

Graduated 2014 Marketing specialist at TMP Worldwide How would you describe the first day, the first few weeks? What made it hard? How did you feel?

On my first day, I felt like a real adult — I mean, I had a job. I’d graduated, gotten my own place, secured a salary, job and I felt on top of the world. I thought, “my life plan is taking shape.” That was day one.

The next several weeks took me down a few pegs because I began to understand the stakes of what my company does for its clients and notice how smart those around me were. Although, being around much smarter people gives me purpose in the workplace because it gives me a challenge to overcome.

What did you have to do that you weren’t expecting or hadn’t thought about?

I had this thought that a salary job would provide me with all this expendable income, especially in comparison to my paychecks while in college. I was wrong — very wrong. Everything became more expensive and it didn’t feel much different, much to my dismay. But you learn to figure out how to manage it all and, most importantly, budget properly.

In the office, the lack of structure was a real challenge for me. I was on a relatively new team to the company so we had to figure out a lot for ourselves. Trial and error

Graduation Guide. May 31, 2016. | 7

was pretty standard territory and we had to stick far out on a limb regularly.

What specific advice would you give to grads at their first jobs? What can they do to get through the first few weeks easier?

My best advice for grads is to embrace challenges and never wait until you think you’re ready — it might be too late by then.

It’s okay if your internship doesn’t offer you a spot — I had hoped for that, as many do, but I never received an offer. I was quite upset at the time, but it’s turned out to be a blessing. I’ve been with TMP for just under two years and have worked my way up the ladder in ways I know would not have been possible where I was interning. If it’s not meant to be, let it go. There’s something out there for you.

Stay connected to DePaul. If your first job doesn’t work out for you, then it doesn’t work out. Your DePaul network can help connect you in the right spot. Be active on LinkedIn, email your professors and make your wishes known. Many companies have an employee referral program and people consider their networks when a position opens up. Someone you know will think of you if they know you’ve expressed interest or desire to fill a spot they see open up (and they might recommend you for the spot).

Graduated 2005 Attorney

How would you describe the first day, the first few weeks? What made it hard? How did you feel?

The first day and first few weeks, I felt a little like a fish out of water. Meeting so many new people, trying to get settled into my new space and learning about my role is a lot of change at once. You really go from zero to 60 when you start your first job. It is a lot of responsibility, but it is exhilarating at the same time. Also, you truly understand the importance of happy hour.

What did you have to do/go through that you weren’t expecting or hadn’t thought about?

I had my first experience with litigation, and I really had zero actual work experience with the court system at that time. Since I was at a solo practitioner firm, a lot of responsibility fell on me, and I had to figure things out on my own. I’ll never forget the learning process and how scary and frustrating it can be. But I think people grow two-fold when they learn via trial by fire.

How did you get through it?

By understanding that there were no other options, and knowing that this was a moment where I could choose to define what kind of employee I was going to be — not only to my boss, but to myself as well.

What specific advice would you give to grads at their first jobs? What can they do to get through the first few weeks easier?

Be like a sponge in your new job.

Absorb everything you can about the company culture, your roles and the roles of others. Most likely, your first job won’t be the job you retire from, so from the beginning think in terms of your next move and what you can do now to help get you into your next role, all while digging in your heels and doing the best work you can produce in your current role.

Seek out those who know a lot and can explain it to you. Find a mentor. Ask questions. And always say yes if presented with any opportunity. People you meet in your first job can help you grow your network that will impact your entire career.

8 | Graduation Guide. May 31, 2016.

QUIZ: WILL YOU LAST THE ENTIRE GRADUATION CEREMONY? Graduating DePaul students will face the biggest test of their college careers in the coming weeks: lasting their entire graduating ceremony. These tend to last three to four hours and can be the ultimate challenge to one’s bladder, appetite and attention span. Will you be able to survive? Take The DePaulia’s quiz to find out.

2. This is a really long ceremony, so you’ll probably be checking your phone a few times.

What’s your battery situation? a) You charged your phone the night before and you have a portable charger in your pocket. b) You’ll have a full battery when the ceremony starts… hopefully it lasts you. c) You forgot your phone at home. At least you remembered to wear shoes. d) Wait, you just realized you lost your phone weeks ago. Hopefully no one has been trying to contact you for details on where and when the ceremony is occurring.

Mostly A’s: Graduation ceremony pro Your elementary, middle school and high school graduations have all been leading up to this moment. You’ve practiced your walk across the stage, the smile you’ll give the camera holding your DePaul diploma and the wave you’ll give your family as they cheer for you. Let’s do this.

a) Not only did you have a three-course meal before the ceremony began, but you’ve got granola bars, cheez-its and a parfait stuffed in your pockets. It’s game time, baby. b) You had a light lunch before heading to Allstate Arena, but you and the family plan on going out for dinner after to celebrate. c) You grabbed a Pop-Tart on your way out the door.

You’ll be eating after so who cares, right? d) You were in such a rush you couldn’t be bothered to grab food. Hopefully the sound of your stomach growling isn’t loud enough to be picked up by the microphones onstage.

4. Hundreds of names later, you’re bound to be pretty bored. Did you bring anything to help pass the time? a) You may have slid the RedEye in your sleeve. It’s got articles, a crossword AND Sudoku. b) You downloaded a few apps to pass the time, but hopefully you won’t have to resort to that.

Mostly B’s: Sufficiently prepared You’re a pretty responsible person and you know what sitting still for hours on end entails. You’re equipped with your phone and maybe a water, and you know after sitting in on mind-numbing lectures that you’re capable of looking awake and alert even when you’re really not.

c) You may sneak in a little social media browsing, so long as your phone battery survives. d) You brought nothing. Hopefully, no one will notice you dosing off.

5. It’ll be pretty awkward if you feel the need to get up mid-ceremony and go to the restroom.

Did you prepare for this? a) Of course! You waited until the absolute last second to relieve yourself before the ceremony began and have been testing how long you can hold your bladder for months.

Some say you’re crazy, but you know it’ll pay off. b) You did your business about 20 minutes before you had to line up with your fellow grads for the ceremony.

You’re a grown adult, so you should probably be able to survive without access to a restroom for a few hours. c) Luckily you stopped at a gas station on the way to the ceremony and relieved yourself, but you’ve got a sinking feeling that by the time the last graduate walks across the stage you’ll be itching to make a beeline to the nearest restroom. d) You didn’t have time to put on clothes, eat or grab your phone. How could you possible be expected to have made time to use the bathroom? You were in a RUSH, okay?!

Mostly C’s: Questionable readiness Technically, you won’t be the least prepared graduate in the room, but it may be beneficial to do some planning and ensure that you won’t be running out of the ceremony in a mad pursuit of the nearest restroom/vending machine. Planning ahead will pay off, so try and think about how to make listening to the names of strangers being read off for four hours as tolerable an experience as possible.

Mostly D’s: Please rethink your choices College is the first time in your life that Mom and Dad won’t be there to nag you into doing your homework or making sure you shower every day. You’ve gotten into a great university and are by no means a lost cause, but remember that it is time to grow up a little bit. You don’t want to return.

DANIELLE HARRIS | OPINIONS EDITOR

Demon Surplus With A Purpose (SWAP) is coming!

Upcycle your items to help reduce waste and provide materials for others.

surplu s

a) Cargo shorts. You’re maximizing pockets for ultimate storage potential. b) A dress and wedges/a suit and tie. You’re pretty traditional about these sorts of things. c) You haven’t really thought about it… something clean that won’t embarrass your mom, you suppose. d) Absolutely nothing — you’re a risk taker. Fingers crossed your gown stays closed.

3. Four hours is quite some time to go without eating. Did you eat a decent meal before putting on your cap and gown?

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a pu r

SW AP

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1. What are you wearing underneath your gown?

Donation Days: June 6–10, noon-4 p.m.

Location: Residence Hall Lobbies

SWAP Shop: Wednesday, June 15, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Location: Student Center Room 120 tinyurl.com/demonswapshop

Sponsored by: Office of Mission and Values, Housing Services, and Residential Education.