Believe it or not, graduation is just around the corner, and so are all the festivities that come with it. The Senior Week Committee has begun making plans for graduating students this year. Dr. Leo Pedraza, Assistant Dean of Students & Director of Undergraduate Student Life, and Thomas Gaudet, Assistant Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Engagement, are co-advisors for the Senior Week Committee. The Stute conducted an interview with Pedraza to gain some insight into what this week will entail.
Pedraza explained that the first step in the planning process is to identify dates that work best for the events. Then, he and the rest of the committee look back at previous senior weeks to identify what festivities were a success and thoroughly enjoyed by Stevens students. They also brainstorm ideas for new events they can incorporate into the week. Pedraza comments, “It’s a joy to work with the committee to help them plan out the Senior Week events.”
When asked what the committee had planned so far, Pedraza remarked that “the senior brunch is always a fan favorite,” so they already booked that event in advance in the Halifax restaurant at the W Hotel. No other events are officially locked in yet since the committee is still in its early stages of planning, but Pedraza listed some ideas they have so far: “happy hour in Hoboken, a cap decorating event, an event at Barcade, Jersey City.” Pedraza also mentioned possibly planning what would be completely new events for senior week, a “‘Play! Hoboken’ recreation center for 50 days until graduation” and a drag brunch.
The Stute questioned Pedraza about his goals for senior week. Through these events, the committee wants to encourage students to donate to the Senior Gift Fund, money which goes towards “support[ing] services and programs on campus for student mental and emotional needs.” Overall, Pedraza and the rest of the committee hope to create fun opportunities for students to spend time with their friends as they prepare to say farewell to Stevens.
