Graduation is a time to reflect on your years at TCU. Although you may have spent many late nights cramming for tests, you don't want to wait until the night before to make sure you are prepared for the ceremony.

Student Graduation Checklist:

- Order your cap, gown and diploma

o A late fee will be assessed on cap, gown and diploma orders that are placed after Nov. 12.

- Pick up your cap and gown at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum

o Dec. 17 9 a.m. &- 4:30 p.m.

o Dec. 18 8 a.m. &- noon

- Send your graduation announcements and invitations

Alumna: Katie McCann

Year of Graduation: 2010

Major: Fashion merchandising

Current city: Dallas

Job: Wedding planner for Todd Event Design Creative Services

Words of wisdom to graduates: "Hard work pays off and it's never too early to start looking for a job. My two-year internship turned into a job which not only allowed for a relaxing senior year, but most importantly, I knew I would be doing something I really loved."

Alumna: Lindsay Ray

Year of Graduation: 2010

Major: Entrepreneurial management and theatre double major

President Barack Obama recently invited both Democrats and Republicans to the White House to debate the upcoming tax decisions that Congress will have to make. Republicans would like the Bush-era tax...

For Neeley School of Business marketing instructor Bob Akin, graduation is the hardest part of his job.

"It's like giving up your own children," he said. "You want to keep them."

For eight years, Akin has watched his former students walk across the graduation stage and into successful careers.

Although he received both his bachelor's and master's degrees from TCU, Akin never saw himself teaching here 8212; or anywhere, for that matter.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

The men's basketball team will take on Northern Iowa Saturday at home with a 6-2 record and a chance to achieve its best record after nine games since the 2000-01 season.

After defeating Prairie View A&M 78-61 on Wednesday, TCU improved to 5-0 at home for the first time since the 2000-01 season.

Northern Iowa is coming off of a 60-54 win against Iowa State. The Panthers are now 3-2 for the season.

SWIMMING & DIVING

The men's tennis team has hopes that community involvement will help them increase attendance at home matches, the team's coach said.

Head men's tennis coach David Roditi said he put a plan in action to raise attendance at home matches. The team set a goal to have 1,000 fans in attendance at a home match.

Senior tennis player Zach Nichols said the goal stemmed from Roditi, also a former TCU tennis player, and the experience he gained while on the team. When Roditi played, the team was top 10 in the nation and had a large number of people at their matches.

The chickens of this world are headed for inevitable disaster. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics, the amount of chicken consumption doubled from 1970 to 2004. The population of chickens in the U.S. cannot possibly keep up with the growing world demand. We must all, therefore, conserve our consumption of chickens. Buy only one chicken for the family at Popeye's. Eat more tofu chicken.