Most - if not all - college students relish in the day that they meet all of the requirements to obtain their degree, and while the majority walk with no hesitation, the decision may not be so simple for some.
There are no requirements that say a senior must walk at graduation, but unless a student decided to return to school for another degree, it may very well be a once in a lifetime experience. It is a much-anticipated day that only comes to students who dedicated the time to meet the 120 credit hours required to graduate.
University of Memphis Commencement and Student Affairs Special Events Coordinator Vanessa Muldrow encourages all graduating seniors to attend their ceremony.
"If at all possible, students should walk," she said. "It is a moment you cannot get back. It is a time to celebrate all your hard work and dedication."
Senior accounting major Luke Hooper, 22, agrees whole-heartedly with this sentiment and is walking this May.
"I decided to walk at graduation because it is an expression and celebration of the hard work you put in the past four years to achieve your degree and the grades you achieved," he said.
According to Muldrow, the majority of graduating seniors attend the ceremony and walk.
"Nearly 80 percent of those in the undergraduate program, on track towards graduation participate in their ceremony," Muldrow said.
A common question for seniors is whether or not there are any fees to participating in the ceremony. Muldrow said that is not an issue.
"Students do not pay any fees towards graduation at the time of their Commencement," she said. "All fees are covered by student fees."
There are a few reasons to why some students do not participate in their own commencement. Muldrow believes lack of interest is a big part.
"Most students who do not participate have no interest in attending Commencement, live out of town or have prior obligations," she said.
Matt Noah, a graduate student at the University of Memphis, received his undergraduate degree in accounting in December of 2013. Noah did not participate in his graduating class's ceremony because of a lack of interest.
"Honestly, I have better things to do than sit there for like two to three hours with a bunch of people I do not know," he said. "I'm going to grad school so I was just going to walk after that."
Whatever choice seniors make, nothing takes away from the great achievement of graduating and receiving their degree, according to Hooper.
"I am looking forward to receiving my undergraduate degree way more than I am looking forward to walking, but yes it is exciting since it is the ceremony to prove you have finished," Hooper said.
