Offices prepare for Spring 2022 graduation
Photo of Tracey Carlson by Senior Photographer Morgan Kiehl
Lee University faculty and students are diligently preparing for Spring Commencement, which is set to take place on May 7 to honor the class of 2022.
Weather permitting, the ceremonies will be held on the South Quad Lawn and will feature Chancellor Paul Conn as the commencement speaker.
Offices across campus are collaborating to ensure spring graduation is a success.
Tracey Carlson, director of academic events, works with various offices to oversee the preparation for the graduation ceremonies.
“When students walk across that stage, and when they come that weekend, [my hope is they] get to completely enjoy it as much as possible,” said Carlson.
The Special Academic Projects office plays an integral role in making graduation weekend a success. Their year-round preparation includes regalia pickup, banners, programs and rehearsals. For graduates who cannot attend the ceremony, Carlson’s office prepares a commencement box to celebrate their success.
Regalia pickup is a crucial part of Carlson’s responsibilities. Carlson uses this opportunity to celebrate the graduating seniors.
“Hopefully, regalia pickup [will be] a little bit more of a celebration. They have balloons, and we just want to make it a really neat event,” said Carlson. “The Alumni Office comes because students are about to become alumni. The Leonard Center is also there so students can get their pin to wear at graduation and sign the graduation service pledge.”
Before the commissioning service, Carlson also prepares for the graduation rehearsal with Dr. Debbie Murray, provost and vice president of academic affairs, and President Mark Walker.
“I love getting to work with all the different people that I get to work with, with the various offices, because it really is all hands on deck,” said Carlson.
Dr. Fijoy Johnson, director of special projects, prepares each of the signed bibles given to every graduating senior at the commissioning service.
After each bible is signed by Conn and Walker, Johnson meticulously prepares to distribute them during the commissioning service. Johnson, a 2002 graduate, said he still uses the bible he received 20 years ago.
“It’s such a beautiful thing to create the atmosphere, a welcoming atmosphere, for them to walk on our campus and just feel the love of Christ and feel the love and respect of our faculty and staff,” said Johnson.
Johnson hires non-graduating students to help during graduation weekend. These students will pass out programs, help guests find their seats and, most importantly, honor the stories of graduates and their families.
“Students are already nervous for their graduation day, so it’s our goal to make this as much of a celebration as possible,” said Rebekah Franklin, a sophomore theological and professional studies major and a special academic projects student worker.
The behind-the-scenes preparation for graduation shows students, alumni and seniors alike the rich history and bright future at Lee.
“It is part of the bigger Lee story,” said Franklin. “This collective group of really unique individuals all coming towards a common goal of celebration of academic excellence.”
Carlson believes Lee’s love for celebrating graduation and tedious planning stems from the administration’s leadership.
“I think this drive for me also comes from what I see with Dr. Walker and Dr. Murray. They really see this as such a significant event for students,” said Carlson. “… I’m thankful for that.”
Graduation represents students’ success, but it also reflects the legacy living within the faculty at Lee.
“My favorite thing will be when I see those students across the stage,” said Carlson. “I actually stand in the back and get emotional, because it was such a big deal for me when I graduated [as a] first [generation] college student. There’s so many that are not first [generation], but it’s just incredible.”
Johnson believes graduation also will be a time to honor the unique lives of each graduate during their time at Lee.
“We’ll have 593 different stories . . . everybody comes from different perspectives, different backgrounds, different cultures, a lot of them struggled to get through here… but they made it.”
The Commissioning Ceremony will begin on Friday, May 6 at 6:30 p.m. The Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 7 will begin at 9:30 a.m. For commissioning and commencement details, visit leeuniversity.edu.
