Graduation fair helps seniors finalize plans

Preparing seniors for graduation was the number-one priority in the Alumni Hall Ballroom… Preparing seniors for graduation was the number-one priority in the Alumni Hall Ballroom April 10 and 11. A two-day fair was sponsored by the Alumni Association and featured an array of goodies for soon-to-be 2007 alumni.

“It is a great idea because the seniors are already stressed as it is. They can come here and get all their shopping finished and not leave it to the last minute,” Keith Schoon, systems technician for Pitt, said.

The ballroom opened for the seniors and their families at 11 a.m. The event presented the public with must-know information for graduation.

Booths and stations were set up in the classic colors of blue and gold, offering everything from refreshing treats like cookies and pop to information about health insurance. The atmosphere was light, with music playing constantly in the background. Seniors and their family members were free to move around and get a feel for each station as well as purchase an array of merchandise.

At the far left corner of the ballroom, nine computers were lined up, offering students the opportunity to register for the Pitt Alumni Association online community. This community allows alumni to find former classmates and receive forwarded messages about the current events on Pitt’s campus.

Another station offered seniors the chance to order class rings. Students and their parents could browse through and order from the selection of rings with gold and silver bands.

The Book Center, along with the Churchill Classics Company, lent its support by offering custom-made diploma frames at the Graduation Central Fair. Embossed frames, ranging in price and quality anywhere from $110 for a standard frame to $130 for a 23k gold medallion frame, were available for interested students.

“This is a service we put together. We help by participating to make this event great. I work at 150 [events] or so a year, and this is the most successful and well-run fair,” Sean Hearn, sales representative for Churchill Classics, said.

In the center of the ballroom, seniors were able to sign up for membership in the Alumni Association at a cost of $20. Upon registering they received a gift certificate for a burrito at the Chipotle on Forbes Avenue. Students who registered also received discounts at local hotels like the Comfort Inn, Clarion and Ramada. Membership also awards the students with discounts on car rentals and Kaplan testing.

“We are the one-stop shopping event. For most colleges, you stand in long lines, and it takes up a chunk of your day. Then you might not even get all that you want. Here, you come through and learn about everything you need at one time. It is saving time, and time is money,” Mara Kudrick, associate director of membership for the Alumni Association, said.

Career Services also participated in this fair with a station that asked seniors for contact information upon graduation. The service promises to work with current students and alumni looking for part-time work, full-time work, internships and job fairs.

Several stations offered information and an opportunity to register for medical insurance. But one station went further and gave seniors the chance to register for all forms of insurances such as car and home owners’ insurance.

A station for Pitt Logo Visa card was also at the Fair. The company works with the Alumni Association and offers seniors the chance to get in on the action. If the seniors signed up and use the card, they are eligible to receive world points for every dollar they spend. This allows the users to get various gifts without any annual fees. The card also benefits the Alumni Association; last year they were able to give 95 scholarships to students.

The graduation fair also offered seniors an opportunity to purchase season tickets to all Pitt games. As a bonus, recent alums received discounts on their tickets.

The organization Annual Fund had a station set up to collect pledges and donations for alumni to contribute money to the school or Pitt organization of their choice. The station also gave seniors the chance to write personal thank you notes to anyone, anywhere on campus, and the Annual Fund had the note delivered.

Other stations were a PNC Bank help desk, commencement ceremony information station, alumni loan consolidation table and a Kaplan testing desk.

“This has been really helpful. I wanted to see what it was all about, and I ended up getting more than I thought I would. I found out a lot of information, and now I have a way to keep in contact with other alumni,” Brent Carter, a senior accounting major, said.

The largest station in the fair lined the upper right corner of the ballroom with tables for the sale of caps, gowns and tassels. Students were able to purchase the full graduation garments or separate pieces for doctoral, master’s and bachelor’s degrees, including the honors cords.

The fair was an important part of the services offered by the Alumni Association and has, since its conception, been a big hit with the seniors and future alumni.

“Most come, we service about 2,500 students. About that much come to this event in the two days. It is a fun, collaborative effort of the Alumni Association, the Book Center and Office of Special Events to give to the seniors,” Kathy Fennell, general merchandise manager of the Book Center, said. “Plus the music plays all day, and that keeps us going.”