In May, Jaime Engelhart walked across the graduation stage to receive a token of her achievements at MSU, but unlike her classmates who received their diplomas that month, Engelhart has to wait until the end of August.
The zoology senior, who accepted a congratulatory letter written by MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon, has to take summer classes - two language courses required for her major - in order to finish her degree.
But she said it didn't affect her feelings during commencement.
"Graduation was amazing, I really can't put it into words," she said. "Even though everyone else was done, it was still OK with me to have the experience."
Engelhart is one of the many students who were given the opportunity to walk with friends in May since MSU offers only two commencement ceremonies - one in the fall and one in the spring.
In addition to attending classes, Engelhart has applied for a job as an assistant marine mammal trainer for the New England Aquarium in Boston.
She said if she receives the position it will require her to start earlier than the last day of her class on August 18.
"It's my dream job," she said. "I am focusing on that; it's not that big of deal because either way I will get the class done."
According to the Degree and Certification Office, the minimum number of credits needed to graduate is 120, but some programs require more.
Jan Van Lente, academic adviser for communication majors, said many students might not be able to complete requirements for various reasons.
"Usually it is that the total requirements aren't finished. They are just within a few credits, six (credits) perhaps," she said. "Or they had something come up unexpected and didn't complete a full semester of on-campus credits such as during study abroad and internships."
In the commencement program handed out to patrons at graduation, Van Lente said it is indicated which semester each student is set to graduate. These students must complete the credits or required classes before the estimated date in the program.
Associate Registrar Dugald McMillan said few universities offer summer commencement services.
"There are few colleges and universities that do have summer commencement - it is not common," he said. "To the best of my knowledge, we've never had one. I really don't know why we don't."
The spring undergraduate convocation for baccalaureate degrees was held on May 6 at the Breslin Center. Poet and author Maya Angelou and National Institutes of Health Director Elias Zerhouni were the featured speakers.
The baccalaureate degree college-level ceremonies took place between May 6 and May 8. They were held at either the Breslin Center, the Auditorium or Wharton Center depending on the size of the college.
Betsy White, academic events coordinator and commencement coordinator for the provost's office, said participation in the spring commencement ceremony is high, and she did not hear complaints from students not finished with their degrees.
"People want to participate; it is a celebration and a culmination of their achievements," she said. "A lot of families are involved - the students worked very hard and want to be involved."
When White graduated from college, she said she was herself a summer graduate and participated in the spring commencement.
"To me it didn't diminish the ceremony. It really is a celebration of the student's achievements," she said. "I never looked at it negatively."
Van Lente said most students are appreciative of the opportunity to participate early.
"If we all made everyone graduate in either May and December, that means some have to come back," she said. "It could set them back in the job market and this keeps them on track. I say this is an efficient way of doing things."
Although the commencement ceremony is a celebrated event, Van Lente said every student must receive their diploma to graduate from MSU.
"It's just a ceremony; commencement is just a public declaration that they are done or a public statement that they are just about finished," she said. "But until they have the diploma in their hands, they are not official graduates."
