Class of 2000 prepares to leave UB
Members both excited and sad about moving into new chapter in their lives

By JENNIFER LEWANDOWSKI
Reporter Contributor

All good things must come to an end.

So it goes for the students of the Class of 2000, who will culminate their tenure at UB this weekend by participating in commencement ceremonies.

Having reached a crossroad at which lives veer off in different directions, members of the Class of 2000-whose lives the Reporter has followed since they entered UB in the fall semester of 1996-are at once nostalgic, elated, relieved and bittersweet about leaving the university.

Some are finding it hard to believe their time is up at UB, that graduation signifies the beginning of an adventure into uncharted territory.

"I just realized about a month ago that I have been in school for the past 17 years of my life," says Susan Deacon, who after graduation will work as a designer at an architectural firm in Ithaca. She plans to take a year or two off from school before enrolling in a graduate program. "I am looking forward to working and I know I will enjoy graduate school even more after that, but being in school is all that I know."

Jennifer Abbata, who will receive a degree in communication and plans to stay and work in Buffalo, is none too happy to leave a lifestyle that has just begun to feel comfortable.

"It's very depressing that you work to establish yourself with your friends and life, and when you think, 'Hey, this isn't so bad now,' then all of a sudden four years (are) up and you have to find a job that may or may not be around your friends," she says. "Change is a painful process and I am not too fond of it."

A popular sentiment among members of the graduating class. Jennifer Cotignola, who will return to her hometown of Brooklyn to work after receiving a bachelor's degree in business, also is a bit anxious about her new role in life.

"I think once I get a job and start working every day, then it will hit me that I really left UB, and now I am an adult," she says.

Chris Fedorczak, who will receive a bachelor's degree in media study, is torn in more ways than one about leaving behind "the college life."

"I'm happy because I've finished with college, going to do more exciting things, but sad because I do have so many great memories of this school and this place," he says. And while his prospects for continuing his education are promising-he has been accepted into the master of fine arts program in computer animation at the Academy of Art College in San Francisco for the fall-Fedorczak says he's scared because he's not sure where his life is headed.

"I have a lot of thinking and decision-making in the near future," says the aspiring computer animator.

Feelings of nostalgia linger for Sean Webb, who will receive a bachelor's degree in history. Despite plans to attend D'Youville College to pursue a master's degree in secondary education, he's reluctant to say good-bye.

"I really don't want to be finished, mainly because I really have enjoyed the time I have spent with my friends," he says. "It really hit meŠwhen my fraternity had its formal and I realized that was the last one I would be going to."

In spite of all the warm and fuzzy reminiscences of the Class of 2000, many students agree that some aspects of UB will be better left behind, such as too-large classrooms and feeling like a number, The Spectrum, driving in the city and riding the Blue Bird buses, a lack of things to do and, of course, the snow.

Moreover, some students are taking to task the quality of the education they received at UB.

"UB faculty don't seen to care about students," says Kaya Gerberich, who will receive a bachelor's degree in psychology. "Once in while you see an exception, but in general, they're all here to make a buck. They don't care about the future of the university or the lives of the students they teach. It's sad."

And Deacon says that while she has had some great professors, "I have also had some real doozies."

However, not everyone was critical of the faculty.

Abbata, whose bone of contention with UB was that classes were too large for any quality personal attention, enjoyed a smaller classroom setting.

"I have always found the faculty of the smaller classes to be a lot friendlier and personable, where there was an effort made to know your name," she says.

While academics certainly played a significant role in the university experience, members of the Class of 2000 say, without question, that their friends made the greatest impressions on them during their time at UB.

"One of my greatest memories (is) staying up all night with three friends freshmen year," says Cotignola. "They were trying to study for a final and we all just started talking about our lives and futuresŠIt was really nice."

But Cotignola is taking a realist approach to parting from her friends.

"I say we will try to keep in touch, but then again, I said the same thing in high school, and that did not work," she says. "I hope that my close friends will all try to keep in touch as much as possible."

Gerberich worries about "not having my best friends next door to help me through the bad times and celebrate with me in the good times."

For Deacon, making new friends is an exciting prospect.

"I am looking forward to moving on and making new friends," she says. "I took a job in a place where I know no one. I am looking forward to experiencing it."

The adage claims that the college years are the best years of life. But is college truly as good as it gets?

"I see college as a whole lot of work and stress," Abbata says. "I can't see myself looking back too much and saying how much I miss it."

Cotignola and Fedorczak say their college years definitely measured up to the maxim. But Deacon and Gerberich say it's hard to know just yet.

"So far, I guess you could say these years are the best in my adult life, but then again, they are the first four years in my adult life of many more years to come," Deacon says.

Gerberich, who's hopeful of the future, says it's going to take some stiff competition to replace her years at UB as the best and most memorable.

"They were damn good," she says. "It will be hard to top them."