Jaimie Atkinson isn’t too concerned with preparing for graduation.
The telecommunication, information studies and media senior is more concerned with her plans for after she graduates.
Community prepares for graduation
Graduate student Josh Orndorff tries on his graduation cap Wednesday afternoon in Spartan Spirit Shop in the Union. Seniors preparing to graduate have begun to pick up their caps and gowns this week.
“I have other things I need to do that rank higher on the list,” she said.
Atkinson applied for a production assistant position in Atlanta. She said if that doesn’t work out, she plans on finding a temporary job closer to home. Eventually, she wants to move to Los Angeles.
Atkinson is one of many MSU students preparing for fall semester 2010 commencement, which takes place at 10 a.m. on Dec. 11 at Breslin Center.
The last few days before commencement are chaos, Atkinson said.
“I’m sad that I’ll be graduating,” she said. “My best memories are from MSU, and I’ll miss coming back in the spring. I tried on my cap and gown, and it was hard to believe that four years had gone by.”
The rest of the MSU community is preparing as well.
Joel Heberlein, the hotel general manager at Kellogg Center, said the staff is accustomed to the increase in reservations around graduation.
“We do this twice a year,” he said. “The restaurant ends up selling out with graduation parties.”
The center also fills up quickly with reservations for families staying overnight, Heberlein said.
“Thursday night, we’re pretty much sold out,” he said. “But Friday we still have some rooms available. The rooms have been gone at least six months in advance. The students are thinking of it, and the parents are thinking of it.”
Heberlein said the center’s popularity likely is due to its on-campus location.
“We’re a popular location,” he said. “It’s become a tradition when you graduate to eat at the State Room. We have a good following with that and have had one for years.”
Michael Spano, co-owner of Wanderer’s Teahouse and Café, 547 E. Grand River Ave., said this is the first time his business has been through a graduation.
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“A lot of the student body leaves,” he said. “When they leave, it’ll probably impact business in a bad way.”
Spano said he also anticipates a temporary increase in business as family and friends come to East Lansing for the graduation ceremonies. “We’ll have plenty of staff on-hand and make sure that we have enough supplies,” he said.
Spano also had some words of wisdom for students graduating.
“Take care of yourself — it’s all you got,” he said. “Your best asset is you.”
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