Walk the Walk

Graduation is rapidly approaching, and as this year’s senior class awaits May 15, a disagreement on the ceremonial proceedings has surfaced.

The graduation ceremony will take place in McLane Center, which will then be followed by the individual college receptions. Becky Prophet, professor of theatre, and Laurie McFadden, librarian and university archivist proposed a new graduation ceremonial tradition.

According to Prophet, the proposal was introduced two years ago at the first-year student orientation. The walk began with about 110 students and then increased to over 300.

“Two years ago at orientation we did our first Allen Walk where we gathered all of the new students. We started at Powell and walked down what is now called Allen Walk and walked down the hill to McLane as a symbolic arrival on campus,” said Prophet.

The proposal entails moving the crowd of graduates from McLane up the hill and then down Allen Walk to be applauded by faculty, relatives and friends.

“While it looks bleak that it might happen this year, there is the determination to continue to plan to make it happen next year,” Prophet said in a report received via e-mail.

Although Prophet introduced this proposal as a new tradition in honor of the University’s second president, Jonathan Allen, some faculty and students have raised questions on the “sentimental value” of it.

“Logistically I think it would be very difficult,” said Pamela Schultz, professor of communication studies. “What would happen if the weather is horrible for example?” Schultz continued.

“I picture it as being a little strange and uncomfortable for the graduates to be parading all the way out of McLane and down Academic Alley and having people applaud them the whole way. It’s like a ticker tape parade for returning astronauts from the moon,” Schultz continued.

According to Schultz, the faculty received the proposal via email, which she described as being “awkward.”

Schultz admits she opposes portions of the proposal but is frank with her view on it. “I don’t think it would be a good thing to adopt,” she stated.

“I wanted to get the students’ input and pretty much nine out of 10 students I talked to all sort of grimaced or cringed a little bit and said ‘yeah I think it sounds a little bit goofy,’” said Schultz.

Although Prophet introduced the proposal at a Student Senate meeting, a large portion of the student body remains oblivious to the idea. And the few who are aware are against Prophet’s proposals.

“It’s a novel idea, but it has no sentimental value to this year’s senior class and even for classes that it might be important to, it would be a logistical nightmare,” said senior Kristin Rubisch.

Another senior, Correy Loftin, shared his views on the proposal stating “It doesn’t have any meaning to me but I do like the idea. Alfred should have its own tradition.”