Caps and gowns will be prevalent at both Eastern Kentucky University and Western Kentucky University this weekend. The ceremonies come as the state is seeing a slowdown in the number of college graduations.
Graduation ceremonies are scheduled Friday and Saturday in both Richmond and Bowling Green. Commencement ceremonies were held last weekend at Murray, Morehead, UK, and U of L. Along with funding cuts to education, the Commonwealth has also seen a slowing in the growth of graduate numbers. EKU President Michael Benson says retention is important, but graduation is the ultimate goal. "The most important thing to us is to get them through that program that they choose and get a degree and get them out the door and into the workforce so they can be good tax paying citizens and make a difference," said Benson.
In the midst of all the celebration this weekend at Eastern, the university community is mourning the loss of two students. 20 year old Alyssa Moorman and 23 year old Cody Garcia died following a car accident Tuesday night. Benson says it's difficult to express the loss. "In so many ways college is that apex of excitement and opportunity and discovery," said Benson. "To see that cut short, I really can't put into words. I can't really describe how badly I feel for the family and for the friends and how badly we feel as a university community.
