Harper graduation was standing-room-only

Perhaps it was Gov. Pat Quinn's presence as a commencement speaker that attracted more interest than usual. Or maybe nuclear families are growing.

Whatever the reason, Harper College's spring graduation ceremony last Sunday drew a standing-room-only crowd despite the 90-degree day in what officials had thought would be a big enough tent.

The college had set up chairs for 2,500 people, but a couple hundred more attended. Nearly 430 students took part in the festivities out of the 2,200 graduates in the fall, spring and summer 2010 semesters.

"Next year's to-do list includes getting a bigger tent," Harper spokesman Phil Burdick said. "As our enrollment has grown, so has the amount of people who participate."

This is the first time in three years that Harper has had graduation on campus. It was held twice at the Rosemont Theatre and once at Willow Creek Church. Before that, it used to be held in the college's gymnasium, but its capacity is only 1,700 people.

President Ken Ender felt it was important to bring graduation back to the Palatine campus, Burdick said. He added that the college will likely set up an alternative viewing location somewhere indoors in the event of extreme temperatures.