The countdown to graduation will commence Feb. 22 when seniors have the opportunity to attend the 2016 Grad Fair to celebrate their last days at Loyola.
In leu of the traditional 100th Night celebration, the Grad Fair will invite students finishing up their last days at Loyola before receiving their degree to celebrate and prepare for commencement.
At the fair, seniors will get the chance to take their graduation photos and get be fitted for their cap and gowns.
For previous senior classes, 100th Night was a celebration dedicated to seniors, a night devoted to them and remember their “100th night” of their senior year at Loyola. Problems relating to alcohol led Courtney Williams, associate director of co-curriculum programs, to change the event to an alcohol-free day event associated with Grad Fair.
Some of the events last year included a cupcake decorating contest, discounted lunch in the Orleans Room and an afternoon celebration in the One Loyola room.
This year’s event will differ from last year, but Heather Seaman, director of student involvement, said the change is not substantive and won’t be a return to the original 100th Night celebration as seen in 2014.
Seaman said she sees this celebration as a chance fro students to reflect fondly on their time at Loyola.
“I do think this event is important and a great way to kick off the start to senior celebrations,” Seaman said. “We received positive feedback from seniors participating in both events last year, and we look forward to the same response this year.”
Tyler Steele, music therapy senior, isn’t happy with the change from the original 100th Night.
“I like tradition and the idea of celebrating being seniors, however making it less significant kind of sucks and it’s unfortunate,” Steele said.
Sian Hairston, psychology senior, questioned the placement of the event so close to carnival season.
“I’m down for getting free stuff from the school, but I think they should move it away from Mardis Gras, when we don’t have so much going on,” Hairston said.
