NSU is hosting its final Grad Fest before the 2018 Spring Commencement on April 26, from noon-6 p.m. in the Shark Store at the Don Taft University Center. Held every year, the event is a way for students to celebrate their success upon nearing graduation, and gather all their essentials in one place, from regalia and announcements to gifts for grads and diploma frames.
“Grad Fest is preparation for graduation where students can have the opportunity to take pictures, [view] samples of the [class] rings, pick up their caps and gowns if they ordered them already,” said Sue Garcia, general merchandise manager for the Shark Store. “[Students can also] meet reps for the alumni association, debt management, graduate admissions and student affairs.”
To further the celebration, attending students can look forward to free music, food, giveaways, photos and fun. In the past, NSU gifts like Shark keychains have been given away, although it has not yet been decided what giveaways there will be at the fest. According to NSU’s website, representatives from Werner Kahn Studios will be at the event to take photographs of graduates in their academic regalia. The portrait sitting is free and the proofs will be provided with no obligation to purchase.
Grad Fest also gives students the opportunity to purchase a “Stole of Gratitude.” With this, the graduate honors someone who has been of help to their academic or personal life by wearing the stole during commencement and presenting it to the person afterwards.
In addition, graduating students will be able to get more information about joining the alumni association by meeting attending reps.
“It is important to stay connected with the alumni association because we provide many benefits and services for our alumni,” said Patricia Rameau, coordinator of the alumni relations department. “We provide job resources for them through our platform called NSU Connect, which definitely [is graduates’] gateway to their professional career.”
NSU Connect is a way for graduates to reconnect with former classmates, establish a network and utilize NSU’s trusted environment to create professional connections. According to Rameau, this is also an opportunity to meet mentors in a desired field, as well as stay up-to-date with events happening at the university to stay engaged in the community.
“[We want to] let all new grads know that they are a part of a large community of alumni, our numbers are continuously growing. They would be a part of about 180,000 alumni around the world,” said Rameau. “Once a Shark, always a Shark.”
Membership to NSU Alumni Association is completely free for graduates to join and use. If graduates are unable to attend Grad Fest, they are encouraged to reach out to the Shark Store at 954-262-4765 or the alumni association at alumni@nova.edu or 954-262-2118.
