Biosystems engineering senior Pawel Kargol has worked as a cashier for Spartan Spirit Shop in the Union for three years and said he’s seen his share of hectic days in the months before spring graduation.

With business at its peak in the middle of April, the shop sells and rents between 25,000 and 30,000 sets of caps and gowns to undergraduate students and faculty, he said.

“We’re always fully stocked,” Kargol said. “Anyone can come here between now and graduation, and we’ll make sure they have what they need.”

Early last week, students flooded the Student Book Store, 421 E. Grand River Ave., for a discount-filled graduation fair.

Assistant Manager Mike Wiley said business was thriving as many students had graduation announcements printed and shopped for diploma frames and class rings almost more than a month before their graduation dates.

Among the students taking advantage of the offers was marketing senior Calvin Lai.

When Lai first arrived on campus four years ago, the international student from Hong Kong said he didn’t know a single person. But as he tried on his cap and gown at the bookstore last Monday, he felt a surge of appreciation for the many friends he’s made during his time at MSU.

“I wish I could stay longer because I have established a lot of relationships, and I have achieved a lot of accomplishments,” he said. “I would say that feeling — I can’t even use words to describe it.”

Wiley said for his store, graduation business typically remains steady from March until May, but there always are a few procrastinators to hit the shop.

“Most (students) will get them in a timely fashion, but we will have people — one hour before graduation — coming in to get their caps and gowns,” he said.

In an effort to be part of the campuswide pledge to go green, the Spartan Spirit Shop and others switched to selling gowns made from recycled plastic bottles a few years ago, Kargol said.

“Most of these gowns people just chuck,” he said. “This way, we can recycle in a better way.”

Kargol said the ability to purchase graduation gear on the store’s website, which was implemented about three years ago, also has proved to attract business because of its convenience.

Hospitality business senior Michael Erlingis said he’s planning to pick up his graduation ensemble within the next week, but he’s not sure whether he will feel more excited for a new beginning or sad his college career is coming to an end.

“I’ll think about the last time I get to see my friends, our last hurrah and all the pictures you take at graduation,” he said. “But graduating still hasn’t set in for me, so I don’t know if picking up my cap and gown will do it for me. It’s hard to believe.”