First ever Grad Fair helps students and environment

The USI Bookstore hosted its first ever Grad Fair in the UC Feb. 25.

While catering to USI seniors’ needs, the fair tried to keep things “green.”

“The Grad Fair will now be a bi-annual event where seniors can come to take care of everything they need for graduation,” Mary Beth Rush, in charge of customer assistance and graduation affairs of the bookstore, said.

Bre Evans, a student worker at the bookstore, said seniors can check if they are registered and, if not, register for commencement.

They can also order their caps, gowns, announcements and rings, and also purchase frames for their diplomas.

Seniors can also purchase caps and gowns from Oak Hill, a manufacturer of academic apparel.

Oak Hills has introduced a new line of eco- friendly caps and gowns that are now made of 100 percent, post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. 

They call it Dream Weaver and they hope it will help with colleges’ and universities’ commitments to try and turn their campuses more economically friendly.

Director of Alumni and Volunteer Services Nancy Johnson had a table where seniors could pick up information on the two services that they provide for graduating students: commencement DVDs and GradMed.

“GradMed is a short-term medical insurance program that gives recently graduated individuals health coverage options,” Johnson said.

GradMed offers comprehensive protection, benefits for hospitalization, outpatient services and coverage for surgery and doctor bills.  For more information on GradMed, students can go online to GradMed.com. Seniors can also order a commencement DVD online at the USI’s commencement Web site.

While seniors browsed at the Grad Fair, they had the opportunity to enjoy free popcorn and register to win a free graduation outfit, including cap, gown and tassel.

Another Grad Fair will be held next semester on Sept. 29 for students graduating in the fall, and another on March 2 for spring commencement.