If you are a senior who will be graduating soon, stop by the Northern Kentucky University Grad Finale March 22 and 23 to make sure you are ready for commencement.

Grad Finale will be the first chance for graduating seniors to buy caps and gowns. For those who are graduating this year but cannot make it to the Finale, caps and gowns can be purchased at the on-campus bookstore until the day of graduation. However, Special Events Coordinator Krista Wiseman-Moore recommends buying them as early as possible to ensure appropriate size measurements.

Graduation announcements and class rings will also be available at Grad Finale. The class rings, which are available through Jostens, will offered at a discounted price at the event.

In addition to providing graduation materials, representatives will be available to answer questions.

“They will be able to answer questions [students] didn’t even know they had until they get there,” Wiseman-Moore said.

According to Wiseman-Moore, some commonly asked questions are about the graduation ceremony, such as when they should be there for commencement. Students can also check to make sure their name is on the graduation list and spelled correctly.

Representatives from financial assistance, the bursar and the registrar will be available to help students make sure they have paid all of the necessary fees to graduate.

Another department represented at Grad finale is the Career Development Center. The Career Development Center works with students to help them make career plans, according to director Bill Froude. The services offered by the center include helping students find internships and full-time jobs.

“We want all students to come in and utilize the services we offer,” Froude said.

Another unique opportunity to graduating students can take advantage of at the Grad Finale is the Senior Challenge. The Senior Challenge is a student organization, which accepts donations to put toward scholarships. The organization encourage students to give $20.11 by offering to print a message in the commencement program on behalf of the student. Students can give more or less than $20.11, but donations of any amount are encouraged.

As with the donation, Grad Finale is optional; but it is a convenient opportunity for students to take care of all of their graduation needs all at once.

“I would really like to encourage all the graduating seniors to come,” said Director of Special Events Kathy Stewart.

Grad Finale is a free event, and it will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 22 and 23 in the the Student Union lobby. For more information about Grad Finale, go to http://specialevents.nku.edu/commencement/gradfinale.php.

Story by Roxanna Blevins