Seniors at graduation are at the peak of their educational career. They wait, beaming in all their pride and glory for the hard studying and grueling test-taking they have endured.

They long for the moment their is name called to walk in front of hundreds and receive their diploma-then an ecstatic relative blows an air horn and other students can’t hear their name being announced.

“Tell the relatives to leave the fog horn at home,” Georgetown senior Amber Duncan said. “Save it for when we actually make our first real paycheck.”

Graduation is the day for seniors to shine and the on-lookers to respect the work they have endured.

Retta Poe, associate dean of the College of Education and Behavioral Science has attended the commencement ceremonies twice a year since 1974. She said the faculty are always proud to be there to see students they have invested a lot of time in graduate.

Doris Sikora, the Consumer and Family Sciences department head advises the audience and attendees to not get up and leave at any point during the ceremony.

“Graduations are memorable but they’re meant to be enjoyable too,” President Gary Ransdell said.

Poe said it’s an opening of a new chapter in the graduate’s lives; it should be solemn and joyful.

Being joyful, there should be respect given, for both the family members and seniors. Students who talk on cell phones during the ceremony are rude, Poe said.

“Texting is quieter, but still on the rude side,” she said.

Poe also hopes there will be more attendees who dress nicely.

Seeing eye-to-eye on the issue of proper attire is Henderson senior Alexandra Booze. She said seniors shouldn’t write, paint, iron-on, or tape illustrations on the top of their caps because it’s “tacky.”

Defaced mortarboard is improper etiquette, Sikora agreed.

Treating seniors with respect is one aspect, but treating the faculty and staff with respect is another.

Ransdell spoke from experience when he asked for seniors to not pick him up and squeeze too hard.

“One guy a few years ago picked me up and flung me around,” he said. “I looked like a fish in this guy’s arms!”

Ransdell said everybody gets a handshake, but high fives and hugs are good.

“The number one ‘Do’ of graduation is to attend, and do celebrate,” Sikora said.

Ransdell said there are no ominous signs that someone is plotting something that could be of concern.

“Cleverness within reason is cool,” he said.