As a graduating senior, I was honestly disappointed to learn that graduation this year won’t be on the campus I’ve attended during my time at the University of Maine. Instead, it will be in Bangor at the Cross Insurance Center. For the past several years, I’ve been beyond excited to walk the stage at the Alfond, now to actually walk… elsewhere.
Graduation ceremonies are important because they help celebrate student success and achievements, mark transitions and help students feel a sense of community. I, for one, would’ve loved to have my graduation ceremony held at the institution I attended.
Some people have tried to point out the few positives that graduation being in Bangor has, such as more readily available hotels, closer eateries, etc., but I don’t want to hear it. I am disappointed that the graduation ceremony will be miles away from the campus I’ve spent so much money to attend. I was excited to bring my family around, and show them all of the places I went during my time here. Once you walk that stage, you really have no reason to return to campus. You’re done, you’ve achieved your degree and there’s no point in attempting to relive the past once you’re through. It just would’ve been nice to walk the very same stage that so many previous students were able to walk.
Construction at the Alfond has made it impossible for a graduation ceremony to be held there. The Collins Center for the Arts is too small to host the ceremony as well. I see how the next best option is renting the Cross Insurance Center. However, because Husson hosts their graduation ceremonies there every year, the Graduate ceremony will be at 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, and the Undergraduate ceremonies will be Sunday, May 11 at 9 a.m., and 4 p.m.
I know that several students in my graduating class can resonate with my mixed feelings about this change, but we shouldn’t let it overshadow the achievements of the day. No matter where it is we end up walking across the stage, we’ll still get our diploma in the mail several months later.
