Mike Refsnider (senior-telecommunications) will be graduating this semester after changing his major three times. He took classes during both summer sessions this past year to be able to graduate in December.

"At this point, in my 10th semester of college, I am ready to get out," Refsnider said. "I thought about if I would like to graduate in the spring, but I decided the sooner the better."

He said he is not concerned with the size of the ceremony or missing out on other senior activities.

"I am just happy I stuck with it and accomplished my goal of graduating from Penn State with a bachelors degree," Refsnider said.

"I think the only downside to graduating in the fall is that I have to wait 'til the summertime to have a good graduation party."

Because of the small number of graduating students in the fall semester, many feel the ceremony is not as significant as spring graduation.

"No one really seems to acknowledge that there is a December [graduating] class," Jennifer Batista (senior-communication sciences and disorders) said.

Batista said she would rather have graduated in the spring but is graduating this semester because she changed her major late in her junior year and was not able to complete her required courses on time.

"It's hard to leave halfway through the academic year because I'm leaving roommates and new friends," she said. "You also miss out on a lot of activities that occur in the spring."

Batista said she will return several times to visit in the spring semester, including the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon weekend.

"I had my own senior week last year because I knew I wouldn't get it this year," she said. "But I am glad I stayed an extra semester. Another season of football, friends and parties is nothing to complain about."

Campus and Community Activities Director Barbara Meeker, who is in charge of commencement, said although the class is much smaller, the fall graduation ceremony is similar to the spring ceremony.

"We have not scaled down the commencement," Meeker said. "In fact, I would say we have made the ceremony much more meaningful to each graduate and their family and friends."

Last year was the first year each graduating student's name was called at fall and summer graduations, Meeker said.

"It has made a tremendous impact on the graduates in that they are now individually recognized," Meeker said. "It is a much more personal experience for each graduate as well as their families and guests."

Kristin Arnold (senior-nutrition) said she would have liked to have a big graduation and nice spring weather for her graduation, but was unable to complete her degree requirements in four years.

"I think this graduation will be more personal since it's a smaller ceremony," she said.

Arnold said the best thing about graduating in December is not having to experience another State College winter.

"I can still come up to State College for the fun spring semester events, like Thon, but I won't have to walk to a 9 a.m. class when its 20 below zero," she said.

Megan Benson (senior-economics) completed the number of required credits for her major in three and a half years.

"It probably would be nice to have more activities," Benson said. "I've been very busy the past couple weeks making sure I get all of my papers and projects done and studying for finals, so it would've been difficult to find the time anyway."

Benson said fall graduation will still be meaningful, despite its smaller size, because her family will be there.

"It's different because not as many of my friends will be graduating at the same time, so they won't be going out to celebrate with me," she said.

Benson said there was one positive aspect of graduating in the fall.

"The line for pictures at the Lion Shrine will be shorter this semester," she said.