Some ASU students enjoy more than one graduation after completing their degrees.
Hispanic, African-American, American Indian and Asian-American students each have a special convocation that is separate from the general graduation.
All four have ceremonies every May, but only the Hispanic and American Indian celebrations take place in December also.
"It's such a different ceremony than anything out there," said Misty Cisneros, senior program coordinator for the ASU Office of Public Affairs.
In the Hispanic convocation, students march in to a live mariachi band. They wear their robes and are given a special sash that looks like a serapi blanket.
Each student receives a special certificate when they walk across the stage. Also, each "grad gets their own 30 seconds of fame," Cisneros said. As the student walks to get his certificate, the speaker reads a short paragraph that the student wrote.
More than 100 students participate in the winter Hispanic convocation. The spring ceremony typically serves about 300 graduates.
The service is given in Spanish, as well as English, so that Hispanic students can invite all their family.
"Our language is a big part of our culture, and this is a great way to celebrate," Cisneros said.
By inviting both Spanish and English speaking members of the family, the event has constantly broken records for attendance.
In December, the Hispanic convocation fills Gammage Auditorium, and in May, there is a full house in Wells Fargo Arena.
Besides family, many community members and faculty attend the ceremonies.
"It's a growing tradition," Cisneros said.
The Hispanic convocation has been going on for 25 years and has inspired other cultures to have a special graduation.
Although the Hispanic convocation is put on by ASU Public Affairs, the Multicultural Student Center helps with the other cultural graduations.
"It becomes more than a celebration for the student and family," said Maria Elena Coronado, student success coordinator at the Multicultural Student Center. "It becomes a community event."
Each convocation is special in its own way. The Asian Pacific celebration gives students a chance to speak in their native languages. The American Indian graduation ceremony has students wearing headdresses and authentic clothing.
"Everyone just sort of throws in their own personal flavor," Coronado said of the convocations.
The special convocations are open to anyone who feels they connect with that culture.
Reach the reporter at amanda.m.gonser@asu.edu.
