Ouachita is a very special place to me, as I am sure it is to all my other fellow seniors.

I remember attending the commencement ceremony as a freshman, looking forward to the day I would walk Cone-Bottoms Lawn myself. I have been to every single commencement ceremony since.

This year is different, however. Saturday's forecast is calling for rain.

Understanding that inclement weather is uncontrollable, we are simply asking Ouachita to reconsider the backup location for commencement.

As students, we recognize and respect the decision to accommodate as many guests as possible (choosing the gym) but we would like to petition the Ouachita administration to consider moving graduation to Jones Performing Arts Center, a location many of us would consider to be more in line with a graduation on Cone-Bottoms Lawn.

Due to the limited seating in JPAC, we understand there would need to be two separate ceremonies. 

I imagine there are countless other logistical issues that would need to be solved that I would not be aware of. 

While I wish I could be a problem solver in this scenario, there is no way I could foresee everything that would go into change like this. I would be more than willing to help in any way should the administration choose to move the ceremony to JPAC.

Sincerely, 

Austin Sowerbutts, class of 2019