Kansas State University - Royal Purple Yearbook (Manhattan, KS)

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BEN SCHLORHOLTZ, 2002 graduate in psychology, sleeps during the graduation ceremony May 18, 2002, which was two and one half hours long. Pat Bosco, dean of student life, was the guest speaker. ' Speaking at graduation is one of the most gratifying and exhilarating things I have the pkasure of doing. ' Bosco said. — Photo by Matt Stamey WITH HER CAP DECORATED, Courtney l ' Net Pralle, 2002 graduate In psychology, sits in Bramiage Coliseum among the largest graduating class in K-State history for the College of Arts and Sciences. Officials extended the ceremony by 30 minutes to accommodate the higher number of graduates. — Photo by Matt Stamey 24 Student Life

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KSDB Union Studio 23

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numberssoar more seniors create larger classes, longer ceremony In le Wi lines WITH 655 GRADUATES, the College of Arts and Sciences boasted its largest class in K-State history. Stephen White, interim dean of the col , said 270 more students received their diploma in May 2002 than 2001. A rise in the number of students invariably put pressure on seniors to enroll in all of the required courses. White said transfer students and underclassmen often had trouble fitting in prerequisite courses because seniors were still signed up for them. Classes are to be capped at around 30 students, depending on the class, White said. Most of the time, however, professors allow about a half dozen more to enroll in their classes to help the students out with graduating on time. According to the Office of the Registrar, the Department of Biology and the A.Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications have been the two largest departments in the College of Arts and Sciences in recent years. Because of the requirement of taking a life science in the College of Arts and Sciences, there have been some increases in the size of the class. Pat Hook, biology instructor, said. The students aren ' t necessarily the ones who have a problem with the class size, though. Often parents are more concerned than the kids are. Pat Bosco, dean of student life, said as long as freshmen and transfer students continue enrolling, there would be growth in the number of graduates. To accommodate those numbers, the university featured six graduation ceremonies in addition to the College of Arts and Sciences. It is important that K•State continue to emphasize classy graduation programs because it ' s a tremendous achievement to finish at our school? Bosco said. The graduates do not do it alone. Parents, friends, family, spouses, children, grandparents and so many others, including many members of the K-State family, have helped. Graduation I 25