The Office of Commencement Services held its 14th annual Grad Fair on Saturday.

National Honors Society for Psychology Students at ULV had a barbeque and Josten’s and ULV’s bookstore donated class rings and diploma covers to be raffled.

Vendors set up booths to assist students with graduation preparations in Sneaky Park.

“We try to make it convenient for students to get ready,” Commencement Coordinator Martina Miraflor said.

Miraflor said that between 300 and 400 people were expected at Saturday’s event.

“Students will come from all over,” Miraflor said. “Students come from the Inland Empire, San Fernando Valley, Burbank, Victorville and Ventura.”

Orders were taken for Commencement DVDs for the third year.

“University of La Verne’s ceremony is so beautiful. The DVD pays for itself,” Stephen Grudenic said. “It really is an extraordinary commencement.”

Students and their families were excited to take a step closer to graduation.

“Today is kind of bringing home that this is really happening,” Dee Vanga, mother of graduate Lauren Vanga, said.

Lauren Vanga, a political science major and mathematics minor said that putting on the cap and gown for her portraits was exciting for her.

“Seeing Lauren in her cap and gown made me realize that her graduation is getting close,” Vanga said.

ULV’s Career Services held a booth to share with the community what it offers to students.

“It is a lifetime service for both current and graduated students,” career services apprentice Christine Kourinian said.

Career Services offers assistance with career counseling, job preparation and resume building.

“We focus on whatever it is that the student needs,” Kourinian said.

“Ideally we want students to get jobs but also pursue their dreams,” Cari Welsh said. “Anything they can think of.”

Dustin Grant waited in line with his mother, CAPA accounting major Conny Grant, to order her cap and gown.

“We just came straight here,” Conny Grant said. “Straight to this line.”

“This step is the first toward getting ready. This event puts you in the mindset for graduation,” Dustin Grant said.

“It’s been a lot of fun here,” Conny Grant said. “I’ve had a great experience.”

Connie Grant said ULV is a great and intimate school.

Five ceremonies will make up ULV’s spring 2009 commencement.

“It is the goal of the commencement office to create a memorable celebration for our graduates and their friends and families,” Miraflor said.

ULV’s College of Law’s commencemt ceremony will be held in the Sports Science and Athletics Pavilion on Sunday, May 17, at 2 p.m.

College of Arts and Sciences will graduate students in the Ortmayer Athletics Complex on Friday, May 22, at 6 p.m.

College of Education and Organizational Leadership will hold its ceremony in Ortmayer Athletics Complex on Saturday, May 23 at 9:30 a.m.

College of Education and Organizational Leadership’s ceremony for the Doctoral Program in Organizational Leadership will take place at the Sheraton Suites Fairplex Main Ballroom on Saturday, May 23, at 11:30 a.m.

The College of Business and Public Management will graduate its students in Ortmayer Athletics Complex on Saturday, May 23, at 4 p.m.

Victoria Farlow can be reached at victoria.farlow@laverne.edu