There are more than 1,000 percent more graduates at DU in 2007 than in the first graduating class. The first class to graduate was in 1884 and John Hipp was the sole graduate to get a diploma.
The story is that Hipp came to DU with only $5 in his pocket.
Times have changed, both monetarily and in numbers. Approximately 1,027 students are expected to graduate on Saturday, June 9, as the Class of 2007.
The Class of 2007 typifies graduating classes at other universities. The graduates have picked currently popular majors, such as biology, communication, finance, international business, international studies, marketing and psychology.
According to the Princeton Review, the top majors nationally are business administration and management, psychology, elementary education, biology, nursing, education, English, communications, computer science and political science.
Kathryn Mayer, a creative writing and journalism double major, has a few ideas on why these majors are popular at DU.
“As far as international business and studies, I think our students are becoming aware that an understanding of global knowledge is essential and the more we learn about developments and politics overseas, the more we can learn about our own country and ourselves,” said Mayer “A stellar study abroad program and an ongoing war in our lifetime only encourages students more to study these subjects at DU.”
Sarah German’s view is more pragmatic. Looking back at her four years at DU, German, a digital media studies major, said, “Maybe other people’s decisions were as big of a crapshoot as mine was.”
Though German did not have one of the more popular DU majors, her decision paid off handsomely. She already has a job lined up as a web designer in St. Paul, Minn.
Whether students fell into their major or planned for years the path they would follow, this year’s graduates can expect to find a good job market.
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Job Outlook Fall 2007 Preview, companies plan to hire 17.4 percent more college graduates this year than in past years and 52 percent of employers surveyed said they would increase their college hires in 2007.
Mayer, like many other students is still interviewing for that first post-college job.
“[I am] Still finalizing plans, but will attend the Publishing Institute in Denver this summer,” said Mayer
Aaron Schwarzberg, AUSA Senate president, thinks DU graduates will be great members of “real world” society because of their experience at DU.
“We are so proud of everything you have accomplished over the past four years and know you will make the University of Denver proud when you venture out into the real world and put on display the knowledge and talent you have gained at DU,” said Schwarzberg about fellow graduates.
Looking back at their four years in college, both Mayer and Schwarzberg offered a few pointers to undergraduates. Mayer said, “It’s important to try your hand at many things before you settle on a definite career path.”
She added, “In college, it’s one of the last times you have to take classes for fun or purely because they interest you so it’s important to take advantage of that.”
Schwarzberg advice was for students to take “those life-altering DU experiences” and apply them to their futures.
“Don’t forget your roots or where you came from,” said Schwarzberg. “You may be leaving DU as undergraduate students, but you will always be pioneers.”
In the Class of 2007, 119 students already graduated in November and 134 graduated in March, while 774 will get their diplomas June 9. The commencement is at 10 a.m. in Magness Arena and is open to the public. No tickets are required. Free parking will be available in DU lots, but there is no parking on city streets surrounding the campus. The commencement home page notes that space is limited.
Thomas Marsico, founder of Marsico Capital Management and its CEO and CIO, will be the keynote speaker. This year, commencement ceremonies will be broadcast online in streaming video. To RSVP for this feature, visit www.du.edu/commencement/streaming-video.htm. For more information on commencement, visit www.du.edu/commencement.
