With only a couple weeks left in the semester, graduation is fast approaching for seniors. This year’s Commencement Ceremony will take place on May 14, at 2 p.m. at the Erie Insurance Arena.

In total, there are 664 graduates at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Graduates come from 21 countries including Canada, Chile, Honduras, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Bhutan, Jamaica, the Netherlands, Rwanda, Czech Republic and France.

The Hafenmaier College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences will be graduating 118 students, Ridge College of Intelligence Studies and Applied Sciences has 169 students, the Walker College of Business has 129 students graduating and Zurn College of Natural and Health Sciences has 112 students graduating.

After graduating, seniors look for employement, go on a much needed vacation or start to get ready for graduate school. Kelly Fergus, senior Art Education major, plans on doing all three.

“I plan on going to graduate school and getting my masters in Art Education,” Fergus said. She also plans on getting a job over summer and going somewhere tropical with her family.

While the recipients of the Senior Awards haven’t been announced yet, there are a few awards that are given out each year to undergraduate students that truly exemplify the Mercyhurst Core Values and who embody the legacy of the Sisters of Mercy. One of these awards is the Carpe Diem Award, which is given to a student who has made an impact here at Mercyhurst and who best exemplifies our motto “Carpe Diem.”

The Sister Carolyn Hermann Service Award is awarded to a senior who has given their time, energy and talent in service in the spirit of Sister Carolyn Hermann. The Frank Berry Leadership award is given to a senior with superior student leadership and campus involvement during their time here on campus.

There are also awards given to adult students such as the Catherine McAuley Adult Student Award and the President’s Award for Adult Excellence. These awards are given to adult students in recognition of their work here at Mercyhurst as well as personal and professional achievements.

Graduation comes as a bittersweet ending for most students. They are finally done with those four years of late nights and stressful finals, but it also means moving on from a place that has become home.

“What I will miss most is the fact that the small community, that I was able to say hi to everybody and everybody was my friend here,” Fergus said.

While their time at Mercyhurst may be coming to an end, may our graduates always remember that ‘Hurst is Home.’