By Kaden Boock
Grand Rapids Community College held GRADfest events this week March 28 and 29, to help this semester’s graduates prepare to celebrate their accomplishments at commencement ceremonies next month. GRADfest is an event designed to allow graduates to pick up their caps and gowns, get tickets for the commencement ceremony, get connected with the GRCC Alumni Association, get access to employment resources for after graduation, and all other pieces of information the graduates should have before their time at GRCC comes to a close.
Emily Walkowski, a 19-year old graduating with her associate’s degree in general studies this spring, attended GRADfest and shared how GRCC has been an excellent academic experience and prepared her well to move on with her education at Grand Valley State University in the fall.
“They have plenty of resources to help you out with things, whether it’s tutoring, whether you have a disability,” Walkowski said. “I can see that most of the teachers here are also very caring, so if you have any problems you can always email them and they will contact you immediately. I think the support has been really good here.”
Safinaz Karaein, a triple major in chemistry, cell and molecular biology, and biology, also described how much she’s enjoyed her time at GRCC, and how it will be a bittersweet farewell for her before she goes on to pursue nursing at GVSU as well.
“I love it to the point where I really don’t want to leave,” Karaein remarked, “I’ve been here for 10 semesters, so it’s about time, but I really don’t want to leave because it’s great. I love it here.”
Most graduating students already look forward to their future plans after graduation although the ceremony is still about a month away. Grace Devries, a graduating student getting her associate’s with an emphasis in math and science this spring, shared her plans for after graduation.
“Right now I just want to go into work and kind of figure out what I would like to do as a career path before going to a four-year college, or possibly back to GRCC for a different program.”
GRCC’s 2023 Commencement will take place Friday, April 28 at the Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse with the School of Liberal Arts and school of STEM ceremony taking place at 4 p.m. followed by the School of Business & Industry and School of Health Sciences ceremony which will take place at 7:30 p.m.
