There are 95 days until the Class of 2023 walks down the stage with their degrees in-hand, and several of these students have expressed mixed emotions about their time at UMass Boston. 

On Wednesday, Feb. 15, the Student Activities and Academic & Career Engagement and Success Center organized the Class of 2023 “100 Days Carnival” in the Campus Center Ballroom. The event was held to kick off the countdown to the 2023 start date. Free food, games and prizes were available for the students. 

Angie Klepach, a Criminal Justice and Psychology major, shared her bittersweet feelings about her senior semester and graduation. Klepach is heavily involved on campus, serving as Chief Justice for the Undergraduate Student Government, President of the Tri-Alpha First-Generation Honors Society and Captain of the UMass Boston Cheerleading Club. 

“I am sad to leave all my amazing memories here behind, but I am so excited to see what’s in store,” said Klepach. “It will be an adjustment not walking around campus every day and seeing all my friends, but I am so lucky I was able to find a place to call home.” 

When asked about one thing she is looking forward to upon graduation, Klepach said she plans to take a year off to rejuvenate herself, travel around and prepare for her post-graduation career. She plans to attend law school and aims to become a family law attorney. 

Danielle McShea, graduating senior and management major with a concentration in Marketing and Entrepreneurship, said that the biggest takeaway from her college journey is learning how to balance work and studies and still have fun. When asked about a piece of advice she has for her friends, McShea said, “Even if you don’t feel like you are there in the moment […] still try different things. You never know whom you will meet and what that experience offers.” 

Allison Gaudreau, a Political Science and English major, is eager for her demanding college schedule to end, but she is equally sad to leave the place she calls home. Some of her notable accomplishments during her academic career include serving as President of the Pre-Law Society on campus and interning at the office of U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren. Gaudreau derives her biggest takeaway from the experiences and opportunities she has had. She feels that stepping beyond one’s comfort zone and embracing new experiences can genuinely contribute to a transformative college experience. 

Gaudreau ended on a positive and happy note by thanking her peers and mentors who helped her throughout the journey.

“I want to shout out to my roomies, my bosses at the English Department, and Professor Elizabeth Bussiere from the Political Science Department for being by my side.” 

The university has planned several fun events for the graduating seniors in the following weeks. Some of them include the 50 Days to Graduation Celebration, Spring Ball on April 28 at the Venezia restaurant, Graduate Fair on May 3, Senior Night at Dorchester Brewing Company, Cap Decorating Party and finally, Senior Day at Fenway Park. 

According to the announcement made on the UMass Boston website, the commencement for the Class of 2023 will be held on Thursday, May 25, on the Campus Center Lawn. The speaker for this year’s commencement is yet to be declared. An undergraduate student receiving the JFK Award for Academic Excellence will be the student speaker for the commencement. Nominees for the JFK Award are assessed based on their academic performance, volunteer work and overall contributions as “citizens” of the institution and the society at large.