By Jamil Oakford and Brandy Voirin
As the semester winds to a close, some students are gearing up to walk across the stage for TCC’s graduation.
The commencement ceremony takes place at 6:30 p.m. May 15 at the Fort Worth Convention Center.
Collegian file photo
For South kinesiology student Alvin Taye, this day is a long time coming.
“I feel good because I didn’t give up on it,” he said. “It feels really good to accomplish something I put my mind to.”
Assistant director of records and reports Vanessa Walker said over 2,000 students will walk as of May 4.
“And that’s just the number of students who RSVP’d,” she said.
A number of students choose not to attend graduation for a myriad of reasons. Financial aid associate Andrew Rodriguez says half the students he sees decline the invite.
“Now if you have to work, if your kid is sick, then I understand not walking across the stage,” he said. “But not to walk because you feel ashamed, like your accomplishment is not big enough, is really sad, but it happens every year.”
While 2,000 students accepted the invitation to attend the commencement, even more students completed degrees.
“Seven thousand students in total have completed a degree or certificate,” Walker said.
This number is also compiled with students who finished their degree programs from the summer and fall 2014 semesters. Students walking at the commencement fall into two different categories.
“Students who completed degrees between summer 2014 and fall 2014 are graduates,” she said. “The students walking this spring are candidates.”
The reason students who look to graduate this spring are considered candidates is the semester isn’t quite over.
“The summer and fall terms are completed,” she said. “The students who are completing this spring are candidates because we’ll go back at the end of the semester and review to make sure they have completed all their degree requirements.”
The last day of finals falls the day before graduation, so final grades will have to be reviewed after commencement for students completing this spring.
For people like NE student Maria Diaz, this process is a reality.
“I have a final on the 14th and graduation is on the 15th, and if I’m eligible to walk, best believe I am going to walk,” Diaz said.
With two children and one on the way, she hopes this degree will get her out of factory jobs she had before.
“Not to walk across the stage after all that I’ve accomplished has never crossed my mind,” Diaz said.
Commencement speeches will be given by each member of the board of trustees.
