The birds are chirping, the flowers are budding and the street parties have started again, which means it’s almost graduation day at SUNY Brockport.
As the end of the semester draws near, the 2023 seniors prepare for what is next after their time as a student. On May 12, Brockport seniors will become Brockport alumni as they receive their diplomas.
Senior Alyssa Singleton, an accounting major, talked about how life will feel after college.
“I am sad to leave the friends I’ve made, and it is scary to go out into the real world, but I feel prepared. I have a great job lined up, and I am ready to get started,” Singleton said.
Some students like Mike Tammaro, who is the operations manager at 89.1 The Point, were more hestant about the future and leaving Brockport.
“Honestly it’s something I think about every night as of late. I’ve been in school since I was 4 years old and after graduation will be the first time in my life since then where I wasn’t in school,” Tammaro said. “At first the thought of it didn’t come across to me, but lately I’ve felt a little nervous on what exactly I’m going to do after graduation. Brockport has been my favorite time of my life because I didn’t enjoy my previous schools. I’ve done a lot more at Brockport than I’ve had before and I could never forget that.”
A lavender graduation will be held on May 6 at 1 p.m. The event is free for all, regestration ends April 30. The event is commonly celebrated on college campuses to honor those who are LGBTQ+ and their allies who used to be barred from attending traditional cermonies and to acknowledge their achievements and contributions to the university.
The college has prepared multiple activities for the graduating class in what they call “Senior Week,” including events such as the “Sunday brunch“ from May 7-11 starting with the “Sunday brunch” from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on May 7.
On May 8, the school is hosting a trivia night at Bill Gray’s starting at 6 p.m. To combat final week stress anyone might have, the school is hosting a lawn games activities event from 1-3 p.m on May 9.
On May 10, the school will continue the tradition of Caps & Cakes, where students will decorate graduation caps while snacking on cupcakes provided by the school. The event takes place in the union lounge.
“Sunrise on the field” starts at 5:30 a.m on the morning of May 11, where seniors can watch the sunrise together on their last full day as Brockport students. Seniors also have the opportunity to raise a glass in a toast to their class offered at 5:30 p.m. After that, a commencement party will take place, running from 6-9 p.m.
“I want to attend all of it. I’m still on the fence about going to the Senior Sunrise,” Singleton said.
Other students were unaware of what their plans were during senior week, senior Sam Piccione, a philosophy major, had little idea what senior week was.
“What the hell is that?” Piccione said.
Piccione was not alone in his sentiment.
“I’m honestly unsure what the senior activities are but all I know is I’ll be at commencement,” Tammaro said.
The full student body graduation will take place on May 12 in the special event recreation center (SERC) and will be split into multiple ceremonies based on type of major. The School of Education and Health and Human Services will have its commencement starting at 9 a.m. The School of Arts and Sciences and School of Business and Management and will start at 2 p.m.
