By Nicholas Blake

Some events in this world require you to show appreciation by looking your best. One of these events we should all recognize as an opportunity to dress professionally and be proud to represent the college is the commencement ceremony. So often we hear administrators complain that the students receiving their diplomas do not realize that this an appropriate time to look ones best, so I am going to provide a commencement ceremony guideline for you to dress for success and to present themselves in a manner that their friends, family and teachers can approve of and appreciate.

-Men’s Dress Attire  

Men often wear dress slacks or khakis with a collared long- or short-sleeved shirt. We strongly recommend wearing a tie. Sometimes men wear suits to a graduation ceremony. It's appropriate to wear leather shoes, but they should be comfortable as college graduation ceremonies can sometimes last for several hours.

-Women's Dress Attire

Women often wear a dress, skirt or slacks to a graduation ceremony. If you wear a skirt or slacks, choose a professional blouse or sweater. Women may also wear suits, such as pants or a skirt with blouse or dress shirt and a blazer. Dressy sleeveless shirt are acceptable especially if it's warm or if the ceremony is outdoors . Women can wear shoes such as flats or dressy heels. However, flats are advisable because they're often more comfortable than high-heeled shoes. Women can wear simple jewelry.

-Parental Expectations

It is a good idea for the parents of a student graduating to remain seated until the final student has walked across the stage. Students have been through the struggle of college together and would like to see the support of other families whose children they have grown to become adults with. This tends to be an ongoing problem at institutions around the country; too often are parents in a hurry to see their child that they get up from their seats. To the other students who have yet to walk across the stage that may seem a little rude. So please remain seated and enjoy the whole ceremony because these young folks have put in countless hours of work and would like to be supported up to the last one to walk across the stage.

It is important to recognize that this is a milestone event for the students graduating as well as the teachers and faculty who have watched these students grow into professionals. So please come out to graduation on May 18 at the Waco Center and enjoy watching these young Pioneers receive their diplomas.