"While it may seem to the public that, 'Well it's the same event every time,' that couldn't be further from the truth," said Karosas. "Each college and speaker has their own needs, has a different amount of graduates, a varied floor plan, etc. Even the average amount of family and friends differ between each college. Therefore, it is very important for all of the people involved in planning this event to make sure all of the i's are dotted and t's are crossed. For most of the graduates and some of the guests in attendance this is one of the most important events in their lives."
Though overall it may seem that every commencement is similar, University photographer Patrick Mansell said that there's one thing that distinguishes every event.
"There's so much tradition and history in the ceremony," he said. "The caps and gowns remain the same, the music, the processions -- yet the smiling faces of the students and families are unique. That's the key for me -- understanding that, to every student, this is their graduation day. The graduates themselves are what make every ceremony special."
Spring commencement, by virtue of the number of students who graduate at that time of the year, is the largest and involves the most people. Ettaro’s office handles all the arrangements for the summer and fall ceremonies at University Park.
The weekend is intense and challenging, says Ettaro, but also exciting and satisfying.
"When you see the smiles on the students' faces," she said, "it's all worth it."
The hundreds of people who collaborated to help Penn State’s students receive their degrees in style this spring might take a day or two to rest and regroup, but planning for the next commencement this summer will not be far behind.
This spring Penn State expects to award, University-wide, a total of approximately 12,821 diplomas to students who are completing 568 associate, 10,296 baccalaureate, 1,346 master's, 141 medical, 246 law and 223 doctoral degrees. (Figures listed are estimates as of April 1; totals do not include Penn College.)
For more information about Penn State Commencement, visit http://commencement.psu.edu/. For individual college and campus event and speaker details, visit http://news.psu.edu/story/271563/2013/04/03/academics/penn-state-announces-spring-2013-commencement-events-and-speakers.