Seniors prepare for graduation day

For non-traditional student Barbara Baker, graduation is a huge step for not only herself but her family as well.

“It took me eight years to finally get to this spot in my life, and if it wasn’t for the support of my family and the faculty here I might not have made it,” Baker said.

Baker is a history major and plans to attend Emporia State University for graduate school. Her future plans are to get into either library science or become a museum curator.

“Me being back in school has really helped inspire my son to stay motivated in school too,” Baker said. “To be honest it has helped me to stay on top of my grades and school work because I want to be a positive role model for him.”

Preparing for graduation, Baker went through the normal procedures of a student attended the Grad Fair that was held in Mowbray Union.

“The Grad Fair was really helpful and getting my cap and gown was my favorite part,” Baker said. “Getting the cap and gown finally made it feel real,that I was finally graduating.”

As for Aaprara Mills, a traditional student, graduating means starting a brand new chapter in her life.

“I am really excited to finally graduate, but anxious at the same time because I don’t know what the future has in store for me…Whatever it does (have in store for me) I know I can use the life lessons I have learned from being at Ottawa University,” Mills said.

Mills plan is to attend graduate school after graduating, but she is unsure where that will be yet. Her graduate degree will be in clinical psychology and after receiving her masters she would like to move on to her Ph.D.

Thinking back, Mills knows her professors had a role in shaping her into who she is today.

“The professors definitely pushed me to my limits and past them,” Mills said. “They helped me realize my potential and made me realize how I can improve in areas that need work.”

For senior Trevor Lyons, focusing on school will be his number one priority leading up to graduation day.

“I would first and foremost have class work in order, make sure I am passing classes, focus on that until the date got closer and then focus emotionally on being done with college,” Lyons said.

Lyons doesn’t have plans for after graduation, but says the skills he has learned here will help him in whatever he decides to do.

“A lot of us will leave here with skills that don’t necessarily pertain to our degrees, but (those skills) will still help in other situations,” Lyons said.

Lyons advice for future seniors is to try your hand at everything before you leave.

“It is important to broaden your horizons while you have the chance,” Lyons said. “When I came (to Ottawa University) I wanted to play basketball, but in the process I ended up getting involved in other things like theatre and writing a blog,” Lyons said.

As for graduating, Lyons said it will be a shock to many.

“I would say being in college is a safety net,” Lyons said. “You focus on classes, and when you get out you have to start figuring things out on your own, and that can be really scary.”

Baker said she is proud of herself for coming back to school later in life and feels happy and sad about the day fast approaching.

“Graduation day will be an emotional day for sure,” Baker said. “I have been praying that everyone I want to be at my graduation will be there. I can already picture myself walking across that stage.”