With their final exam behind them, McDaniel seniors settled in for another final – their last week as undergraduates. Senior Week, five days packed with outings and camaraderie, culminates May 20 in the college’s 136th Commencement ceremony at 2 p.m.

Before they walk across the stage to receive their diplomas, McDaniel seniors traditionally celebrate their newly minted degrees and the imminent new phase of their lives by spending the week on the Hill together. Freshmen, sophomores and juniors have all gone home, and seniors become the only inhabitants of the college that has been their home for four years.

Senior Kelly Gruber, who placed first in the Centennial Conference in the 400-meter dash, says this last week brings a mix of emotions.

“It is a sad and happy time,” says the Psychology major who will enter McDaniel’s graduate Counseling program in the fall. “There are a lot of parties and just spending time with friends. And that’s fun. But we’ve also had to say good-bye to juniors and sophomores, and soon to each other.”

Gruber’s class will forever hold a place in history. They applied to Western Maryland, and entered McDaniel. They are the first to attend all four years at McDaniel College.

Senior Week begins May 15 with a trip to Dave & Buster’s in Arundel Mills. On May 16, the class of 2006 will cheer the Orioles to what they hope will be a victory over the Red Sox at Baltimore’s Camden Yards. The long awaited, all-you-can-eat Crab Feast is 4:30 to 8 p.m. May 17 in Harvey Stone Pavilion, and Senior Fling Day is May 18 featuring the hotly competitive senior vs. faculty softball game followed by a picnic and games in the Quad.

The Baccalaureate Service is held at 7:30 p.m. May 19 in Baker Memorial Chapel with a reception to follow in Memorial Plaza. Later that evening at 8:45 p.m., seniors will convene in The Forum in Decker Center for their final class party. The event features a live band, Tony Berry & New Money.

Seniors will line up in the Chapel at 1 p.m. Saturday for their procession across Memorial Plaza, through the Quad and into Gill Center for Commencement. Old Main Bell will ring for their graduation, just as it did to welcome them to campus in August of 2002.

All commencement weekend events are planned for graduates, their families and their guests.