Spring Break
The Daily OrangeFor commencement, a U.S. vice president draws international crowds
By Julia Terruso
Posted: 5/6/09, 6:42 PM EST Section: News
Friends and family members will travel from as far as Madagascar for this year's commencement ceremony.
Pat Burak, director of the Slutzker Center for International Services, said her office helps coordinate travel plans for international families by sending out letters of validation along with the commencement invitations. The letters aid in the visa process, she said.
"The person can take the letter to the consulate, and then that mom from Pakistan who wants to travel to the U.S. to see her student's graduation can do that," Burak said.
Burak said more than 500 international students get their master's degree from Syracuse University every year, and this year, the large proportion of graduate students continues.
"Fifty percent of the Ph.D.s that will walk across that stage Sunday will be international students," she said.
Burak's office also helps a small group of two dozen students a year who graduated in the past but couldn't march in graduation for one reason or another. The students often wish to come back to march and petition her office to do so. Burak looks to make sure the students' immigration records are up to date and they have legal status.
"It's very important to students to get that pomp and circumstance, that closure," she said.
As far as family travelers go, Burak said she's spoken to family members from all over the world, estimating that the farthest visitors will be coming from Madagascar and China - both daylong trips.
At commencement, the Slutzker Center coordinates a display of international flags so that every SU student from a foreign country's national origin is recognized. This year there will be 84 flags lining the floor on both sides of the stage.
"It's sort of a tradition for them to go stand by their flag and get their picture taken. It's amazing how popular it is," Burak said. "SU is proud to represent that they're proud to have a student from that country there. It's a very personalized part of the ceremony."
Pat Burak, director of the Slutzker Center for International Services, said her office helps coordinate travel plans for international families by sending out letters of validation along with the commencement invitations. The letters aid in the visa process, she said.
"The person can take the letter to the consulate, and then that mom from Pakistan who wants to travel to the U.S. to see her student's graduation can do that," Burak said.
Burak said more than 500 international students get their master's degree from Syracuse University every year, and this year, the large proportion of graduate students continues.
"Fifty percent of the Ph.D.s that will walk across that stage Sunday will be international students," she said.
Burak's office also helps a small group of two dozen students a year who graduated in the past but couldn't march in graduation for one reason or another. The students often wish to come back to march and petition her office to do so. Burak looks to make sure the students' immigration records are up to date and they have legal status.
"It's very important to students to get that pomp and circumstance, that closure," she said.
As far as family travelers go, Burak said she's spoken to family members from all over the world, estimating that the farthest visitors will be coming from Madagascar and China - both daylong trips.
At commencement, the Slutzker Center coordinates a display of international flags so that every SU student from a foreign country's national origin is recognized. This year there will be 84 flags lining the floor on both sides of the stage.
"It's sort of a tradition for them to go stand by their flag and get their picture taken. It's amazing how popular it is," Burak said. "SU is proud to represent that they're proud to have a student from that country there. It's a very personalized part of the ceremony."
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