Pittsburg State University blog

This blog was written by Chris Kelly, associate vice president for university marketing and communication.

Today is the day nearly 500 Pittsburg State University students have been working toward for many years. It is graduation day.

John Lance Arena has been transformed from an athletic facility into a setting worthy of the academic celebration we call commencement.

I never realized how much work goes on behind the scenes of commencement until I started at Pittsburg State. It was then that I became a member of the commencement task force and joined a team charged with producing an event worthy of our students.

In many ways, it’s like planning a wedding except it happens six times a year. (It’s at this point that my wife will likely remind me that I didn’t have much to do with planning our wedding either … and she’d be right. Thankfully, I married way above my level, so I don’t plan on needing to do it again)

I’ve learned that details are everything. The height of the stage, the color of the backdrop, decorations, programs, seating, lighting, sound … it has to be scrutinized and changed to make certain that tonight’s focus is where it should be … on our students.

Our physical plant staff has spent the past week preparing the arena. Our faculty will be on hand to congratulate their students as they enter the arena. And, our president will be the first to shake their hands once their name is announced. (Want to know what some of our graduates think? Here’s the video)

This is their night. It is their time to shine and that is exactly how it should be.

Congratulations Class of 2012 and look out world because … “Here come the Gorillas!”

Commencement Ceremonies for the College of Education and College of Technology will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Commencement Ceremonies for the College of Arts & Sciences and College of Business will begin at 7:30 p.m.

You can watch the event live at this link.