Preparations for mid-December commencement ceremonies at the RBC Center are well underway as staff and graduating students get ready for the culmination of undergraduate careers.The ceremonies, scheduled for Dec. 17, offer a unique experience for those finishing their college careers.James Hankins, a senior in political science who will be speaking at the graduation ceremony, said he is preparing for the ceremony by tying up loose ends at school and editing his speech.”There’s always a big rush for people to get everything done that they need to get done before it’s time to proceed on that day,” he said.The NCSU Bookstores held a Grad Fair this week in an effort to prepare students for both the ceremony itself and life after graduation.The fair allowed students to speak with representatives from CB Grad Announcements, Balfour Rings, Diploma frame companies, the Agromeck, Registration and Records and Career Planning. Teri Hellmann, a bookstore manager, said all the groups present were crucial for graduating seniors who had questions and may have needed help.”We’ve had the ring people here, the frame people, the Alumni Association, the Wolfpack Club, the people with the announcements,” Hellmann said. “They’ve been here three days working with our graduating seniors.”The cap and gown pickup process, which began Tuesday, will run through Dec. 16.Caps and gowns can be picked up at the upper level of the bookstore from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday.”We will continue to carry all the merchandise and have people there to help them with their regalia,” Pat Hofmeister, associate director and treasurere of the NCSU Bookstores, said.While there will be no changes to the garb for this year’s ceremony, Hofmeister and Hellman said that talks are ongoing with various committees over potential changes for next year’s regalia. Red gowns and gowns with the school logo imprinted on them are possibilities under consideration, they said.Jeffrey Cross, a senior in industrial engineering, said he’s not concerned with the minor details involved with graduation preparation.”Right now, I’m just doing a lot of work on my senior design project and searching for jobs and just trying to enjoy my last couple of weeks here,” he said.For those who experience problems with their regalia before the ceremony, Hofmeister said staff will be on hand at the facility to make sure everyone is properly attired.”The morning of the graduation we will be out at RBC taking care of any last minute snafus like ‘I lost my tassel,'” she said.The ceremonies are scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. the morning of Dec. 17. Graduating seniors can learn more about where specific colleges will be handing out diplomas on the graduation information homepage.Hankins said that he is excited about his undergraduate career coming to an end.”The main reason that I’m looking forward to it is because it’s really a culmination of all my years at school,” he said. “I’m at the point here where I’m ready to take this degree forward”