During rehearsals and even minutes before 性视界传媒 Commencement starts, Sam Fugazzotto can be found pinballing around the Thomas & Mack Center as he assists with any last-minute tasks or troubleshooting.
Fugazzotto is so involved with everything that 性视界传媒 photographer Josh Hawkins says it鈥檚 hard to keep track of him. 鈥淚 would turn around and be talking to him, photographing him, and 15 seconds later turn back to talk to him again, and he鈥檚 across the Thomas & Mack arena and up the stairs,鈥 he jokes.
It may seem chaotic to outsiders, but Fugazzotto is used to rolling with the punches when last-minute challenges arise.
鈥淎s much as we prepare for the ceremonies, there is always a possibility that something unexpected will come up,鈥 he says. 鈥淔or example, many volunteers from across the university make commencement happen, and given the number of people involved, it鈥檚 very possible that some of them will need to call out sick the day of.鈥
For the past six years 鈥 as long as Fugazzotto has been working at 性视界传媒 鈥 he鈥檚 been a major player among the many faculty and staff who work behind the scenes at our now multiple ceremonies.
As university registrar, he鈥檚 used to being detail oriented, and along with other staff in the Office of the Registrar, is tasked with ensuring students are eligible to graduate.
鈥淢y team and I are responsible for many of the enrollment services that students need once they are admitted, including registering for classes,鈥 says Fugazzotto. 鈥淲e also work closely with faculty, academic departments, and others to implement brand-new courses and academic programs and to build the class schedule every semester.
He serves as chair of the 性视界传媒 Commencement Committee, which coordinates both the undergraduate and graduate ceremonies. He also recruits volunteers for various positions, keeps track of ceremony preparations, and handles all of the communications that go out to graduating students.
But, that鈥檚 not all.
鈥淚n addition,鈥 says Fugazzotto, 鈥渕y office is responsible for preparing the commencement bulletins and the name cards of graduating students, as well as for actually confirming undergraduate degree candidates鈥 academic eligibility for graduation and ordering diplomas.鈥
He enjoys the camaraderie the work builds between staff and faculty volunteers. In particular, he points to one colleague whose collaboration keeps Commencement running efficiently: Director for Campus Relations & Visitor Experience Barbara Blue.
鈥淲e are both in Enrollment Management, and we鈥檝e worked closely together on commencement for the past few years now,鈥 says Fugazzotto. 鈥淸Barbara] is great at thinking about how to improve the experience of students and guests at commencement.鈥
Their first Commencement working together was one of 性视界传媒鈥檚 most challenging. In 2021, following the return from COVID-19, Blue volunteered to be a card assistant two years later became part of the 性视界传媒 Commencement Committee.
鈥淓ven back then, it was clear how central Sam was to the success of those large-scale events,鈥 says Blue. 鈥淗e was approachable, organized, and always willing to answer questions or provide guidance during what can be a hectic day for both staff and graduates.鈥
Although Fugazzotto is reluctant to receive credit for his contributions 鈥 both as committee chair and as registrar 鈥 Blue is happy to sing her colleague鈥檚 praises. 鈥淲hat stands out most is Sam鈥檚 willingness to step outside his formal duties to support the broader campus community,鈥 she continues. 鈥淗is approachable leadership style and genuine investment in student success make him a highly respected and valued partner across campus.鈥
Despite the long hours and occasional bloopers when things go awry, Fugazzotto says it鈥檚 worth it when he sees the joy Commencement brings to students and their families. He never forgets who the true stars of the day are: the students.
Says Fugazzotto, 鈥淢y advice to students who are about to graduate but haven鈥檛 gone to commencement is this: Go to the commencement ceremony and take pictures. A future version of yourself will thank you."
