Clarksville, TN – Last October, the Austin Peay State University Registrar’s Office decided to have a little fun. Instead of hosting its annual Grad Finale to make sure seniors were ready to graduate that December, the office threw a celebratory party called the Graduation Gala.
“We saw a significant, 17 percent increase in participation,” Telaina Wrigley, APSU registrar, said. “It turned into a functional event for the graduates, as well as a celebration. They celebrated with their friends, but they also had the ability to resolve any outstanding issues and take care of any business.”
The event is a one-stop shop for graduating seniors, allowing them to celebrate their accomplishments while also making sure there are no hiccups to prevent them from receiving a diploma.
The gala serves as a student’s first chance to pick up his or her cap and gown, but participants can also receive resume advice from the APSU Office of Career Service, have the application fee waived if they are applying to graduate school, take exit interviews for the Financial Aid Office and take Perkins Loan exit interviews with the Bursar’s Office. Students will be able to purchase APSU memorabilia, and the APSU Alumni Office also will be there to provide students with their first official shirts as alumni.
Refreshments will be provided, as will a “Kid Zone” for students with children, and all eligible participants will be entered into a drawing for a free iPad mini.
For more information, visit the event’s website at www.apsu.edu/graduationgala
