After taking a well-deserved spring break, students who have accrued 60 or more hours are invited to a fun- and freebie-filled Graduation Celebration: Real World 101, hosted by the ETSU Alumni Association. The event will be held Monday, March 15, from 10:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., in the third floor ballroom of the D.P. Culp University Center. All day long, students will receive take-home goodies and advice about graduation and life thereafter.The newest addition to Graduation Celebration is a series of fashion shows showcasing interview outfits and work attire from The Dress Barn and Men’s Warehouse. Male models will take the runway first, at 11 a.m.; the ladies will model at noon; and the final fashion show, at 3 p.m., will give the guys one more trip down the catwalk.

This year, models will also be showing off class rings from Balfour Jewelers, which partners with the Alumni Association to host the event.

“The fashion show is a fairly new feature to Grad Celebration and we’re really excited about it this semester,” said Cyndi Ramsey, Alumni Coordinator. “We have many student models lined up and we’re happy that they will also be modeling the official ETSU class rings.”

To round out their professional looks, students may also receive free makeovers from MAC and Benefit Cosmetics. From there, students can have their résumés critiqued by Career and Internship Services and Resume Doctors, who will also be offering advice for successful job hunting.

The Registrar’s Office will have caps and gowns for graduating seniors and a photographer will be on hand to take formal cap and gown pictures, which will be made available online later in the semester.

Students can see all the graduation supplies the ETSU Bookstore has to offer and can also personalize their graduation attire at the bookstore’s cap-decorating station.

Balfour Jewelers, the official maker of ETSU class rings, will have a booth at the event, showcasing the ultimate symbol of educational success: the class ring. Balfour will also be offering the latest in graduation invitations and announcements, so students should stop by to place orders for their rings and any other graduation needs.

Students will also have the opportunity to leave words of wisdom for future ETSU grads through the Virtual Yearbook, sponsored by the ETSU Alumni Association.

“The ETSU Alumni Virtual Yearbook is a marvelous way for soon-to-be graduates to leave their ‘mark’ on the university,” said Lee Ann Davis, director of university alumni programs. “We have had students leave messages talking about their favorite memories of ETSU and what the university has meant to them personally and professionally. We have also had very funny messages left on the Virtual Yearbook about their favorite classes or which professor’s class you NEVER want to be late.

“Once the messages are recorded they go on the ETSU Alumni’s gated community, www.etsualumni.org. After the student graduates they can go back as often as they like to see their messages on the Virtual Yearbook.”

Students will have the chance to chat with Alumni Association representatives about the organization and how to join.

“One of the best things we hope students take away from the event is the knowledge the Alumni Association is here for them after they leave ETSU,” Davis said. “We want to continue to engage them in alumni activities, travel and other opportunities that will be beneficial throughout their lives.”

For more information on Graduation Celebration: Real World 101, contact Cyndi Ramsey at 439-4218.

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