More than 5,000 excited graduating seniors and graduate students funneled in and out of the Matador Bookstore Complex on March 12 and 13 to participate in the annual spring event, GradFest. Designed to help students get through paperwork, professional photos, Alumni Association registration and traditional garb purchases, GradFest sped up the process. Photo by Victor Kamont.

At the end of the process, graduating students held their degree folders for the first time as they took their official cap-and-gown photos. Grad Images, the photography company, was joined by 15 other vendors, including Buca di Beppo, Princeton Review and Jostens. Photo by Victor Kamont.

For some students, the event was more than shuffling through the motions. CSUN student Vanessa Rivas (right) brought her mother, Mirtha, to the event as part of the graduation experience. Mirtha was able to take smart phone pictures of Vanessa’s official photo shoot, as well as ensure all of the proper preparations were made for the big day in May. Photo by Lee Choo.

Students used computers to rent caps and gowns (and make other purchases) from Herff Jones, the main graduation vendor. With efficiency in mind, the computers allowed students to get through the basic process in little more than 10 minutes. Photo by Lee Choo.

Graduating seniors will have the opportunity to speak to a representative at the Alumni Association booth to learn more about their lifetime connection to their alma mater. Photo by Victor Kamont at GradFest in 2014.