The University of Idaho Office of Alumni Relations (OAR) will offer graduating students the chance to buy regalia on sale from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 21 and March 22 at GradFest in the International Ballroom of the Bruce Pitman Center.
Director of Alumni Engagement Tim Helmke said OAR offers a wide variety of programs, events and services for UI students, alumni, staff, faculty, friends and parents.
He said OAR’s events range from homecoming to Moms’ and Dads’ Weekend to GradFest.
Helmke said GradFest is a one-stop shop for graduating students to purchase things like caps and gowns, announcements, photos, rings, diploma frames and more at a discounted price.
“Graduating students can expect a fun-filled event where they get all they need for commencement — taking the stress out of having to go multiple places to get things done, we bring it all together for them,” Helmke said. “The main benefit of attending is getting all details taken care of well before commencement.”
Student Alumni Program Coordinator Sara Valoff said graduating students not only have the opportunity purchase all things GradFest at once, but they also have the opportunity to enter into various drawings for prizes. Students can also pick up their Vandal swag bags, which are given to all attendees.
She said students can leave some advice for current and incoming UI students on the “Confessions of a College Graduate” video at GradFest, which will be shown at the commencement ceremony in May.
Valoff said graduating students can learn about career and alumni services at UI after graduation during the event, like student loan repayment information, job guidance and insurance policies.
Helmke said GradFest is for all graduating students, as well as faculty who need to rent regalia for their participation in commencement ceremonies.
Helmke said graduating students who are not able to attend the event will have a chance to order online for about 10 days after GradFest, starting March 23.
He also said students may have someone pickup and pay for their regalia if unable to attend, personally, and OAR will also have a limited amount of stock on hand to sell the week prior to commencement in May.
Helmke said there is a price increase for students who don’t attend the event or order online, and late fees are applied starting in the first part of April as there are higher shipping rates for orders during national commencements.
“GradFest is a fun event and graduating students can spend as little or as much time as they want at the event,” Helmke said.
Olivia Heersink can be reached at [email protected] and on Twitter @heersinkolivia