Graduation is more than a milestone for the Department of Agriculture at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), it is a celebration of family, achievement and the lasting bonds formed throughout a student’s journey. Each spring semester, the department honors its graduating seniors for the current spring and upcoming summer and fall semesters through its senior sendoff and awards ceremony program, a tradition that has evolved into one of the department’s most meaningful events.
While the Department of Agriculture has hosted senior sendoff celebrations for many years, the event received significant enhancement in 2024. Historically held in the Carter Building as a potluck meal prepared by faculty and staff, the celebration was reimagined as a larger, more formal event recognizing graduating seniors alongside scholarships and award recipients.
All agriculture faculty participate in this event enthusiastically, but it is also an emotional event. According to Dr. Andrea Sexten, Associate Professor and Department Chair, “We are an ag family, and the faculty look forward to celebrating our seniors. The hardest part of our job, but also the most rewarding, is seeing students leave us and go out into the real world. These are our students, they are part of our ag family, and as much as we want them to spread their wings and fly, it’s hard to see them leave. We spend time together in the classroom, on the road traveling to conferences/club activities/team events, and in mentoring them through unexpected challenges. We have lived life together with these students for the last 4, sometimes 5 years and we want nothing more than to celebrate their achievements.”
Now, the senior sendoff is held in the Science Atrium on Thursday evening before graduation. The new format was intentionally designed to welcome family members and guests, creating a more memorable experience for students as they celebrate one of the most important milestones of their academic careers.
The inclusion of family members is deliberate and meaningful. “We greatly appreciate the families that share their children with us. We are blessed to be a part of their journey and believe it is important we celebrate our graduates together as part of a larger family,” explained Dr. Sexten.
At its core, the senior sendoff serves as a celebration of student achievement. The evening begins with a “State of the Department” address from the department chair, highlighting the year’s accomplishments and the contributions of graduating seniors.
In addition to academic awards, graduating seniors are recognized by the clubs, organizations and competitive teams that have shaped their college experiences. Advisors acknowledge students’ leadership positions, national accomplishments and contributions to organizations such as Ag Club, Collegiate Farm Bureau, Block & Bridle, Delta Tau Alpha Agriculture Honor Society, Horticulture Club, Sigma Alpha Sorority, Pre-Vet Club, the Animal Science Academic Quadrathlon Team, Dairy Challenge Team and National Collegiate Landscape Competitors.
Each award presentation includes remarks from the nominating faculty member providing a personalized account of the student’s achievements and impact on the department. The department also recognizes an Outstanding Alumni recipient, celebrating graduates who continue to embody the values of EKU Agriculture long after commencement.
The evening concludes with one of its most memorable traditions. Each graduating senior walks across the stage as their name, degree and academic honors are announced. All Agriculture faculty members line the stage to present cords and stoles, offer handshakes and hugs, and congratulate students on their accomplishments. Seniors also receive a maroon padfolio embossed with the EKU Agriculture logo as a keepsake of their time in the program.
While recognition of seniors and award winners is the focus, another goal and defining characteristic of the event is to engage all agriculture students with opportunities to serve one another. Juniors and underclassmen volunteers help organize every aspect of the celebration, from purchasing supplies and decorating the venue to serving dinner and assisting with cleanup. In addition, each student organization contributes a themed gift basket to a silent auction held during the event, helping support the celebration while showcasing the creativity and generosity of the department’s clubs.
The broad participation in this event also stands out compared to traditional award ceremonies hosted by other departments. Dr. Sexten explained, “Our event is unique in that it’s all-hands-on-deck; everyone pitches in to help prepare for the celebration of our seniors. The departmental faculty, staff and students along with the staff at Meadowbrook farm all pitch in to help make the event possible. The department views this service-oriented approach as an extension of its commitment to developing servant leaders.”
During this event, the students are always reminded that while they may be leaving campus, they will always remain part of the EKU Agriculture family, and they are encouraged to stay in touch and return to talk to classes and share their experiences. Some of those Alumni shared what the celebration meant to them.
“This event is a way for seniors to feel appreciated and congratulated for all of their hard work. The ag department already works hard to show their appreciation and love for their students but for seniors to have one last event for themselves nails in just how much they are loved in the ag department,” said Audrey Spry, 2026 graduate in B.S. Animal & Veterinary Sciences (Pre-Vet).
“For me, senior sendoff highlights the relationships I’ve built with both my classmates and professors throughout my time at EKU. It gives us the opportunity to reflect on everything we’ve accomplished during our college careers and celebrate the memories we’ve made together. It’s also a special chance to spend our last few hours together before we all begin our next chapters and life takes us in different directions,” said Isabell Marshall, 2026 graduate in B.S. Animal & Veterinary Sciences (Animal Science).
“The Agriculture Department’s senior sendoff banquet is meaningful because it reflects what makes this department so special; the sense of family it creates. Over the years, classmates, faculty and staff become more than just people you see every day, they become a support system that encourages you through every challenge and celebrates every success. The banquet provides a special opportunity to gather one last time before graduation, share memories and recognize the accomplishments of the graduating class. It brings a bittersweet sense of closure, as you celebrate how far you have come while realizing that an unforgettable chapter is coming to an end,” said Bella Goodlet, 2026 graduate in B.S. Agriculture (Livestock Management).