For some students, their college career is coming to an end very shortly. On Saturday there will be two graduation ceremonies, which Eastern will formally see off university graduates.

The first ceremony, at 10 a.m., is for Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences and the College of Arts and Humanities. The 2 p.m. ceremony is for the School of Continuing Education, the College of Education and Professional Studies, and the College of Sciences.

The ceremony is as simple as the graduates walking across stage in Lantz Arena and getting their diploma covers. The actual diplomas won’t be handed out until they are all confirmed, but the ceremony is to honor their hard work.

“The ceremony is a celebration of their achievement for the graduates and their families,” said Martha Hackler of the commencement staff.

Behind the scenes of graduation, there are many volunteers, such as Mark Hudson, director of housing and dining.

He has been helping with graduation for the past 7 years.

“My favorite two days of the school year are the opening day of the residence halls when families bring their students to campus to begin a new chapter of their life,” Hudson said. “You can see the excitement and anxiety in everyone’s faces. The student is trying to act like it is no big deal and the parents wear their emotions a little more publicly.

His other favorite day is graduation.”

“Those same parents return to see their student cross the stage, which symbolizes a major accomplishment for the student as well as for the family,” Hudson said. “Everyone is so excited. It is the best symbol of why we work in higher education and the moment where the student shows he or she is ready to take on the world.

“At least for this one day it does not matter if the graduate does not have a job in hand or what they are going to do next – the day is set aside for celebrating and reflecting on a college career ending and a new life beginning. Who would not want to be a part of this?”