SLIPPERY ROCK — More than 1,700 students are eligible to take the cathartic walk across the stage at Slippery Rock University and receive a degree that represents years of hard work and a bright future ahead.

Three ceremonies will make up the 2019 Spring Commencement this weekend at SRU.

Rita Abent, the chief communications and public affairs officer at SRU, said she still gets goose bumps at each ceremony, even after organizing them for 11 years.

“There is just such electricity in the arena,” Abent said. “It's that moment where it all came down to this.”

She said 350 master's and doctorate students are eligible for the Friday evening commencement, which will begin at 7 p.m. at Morrow Fieldhouse.

She said 52 doctors of physical therapy, five doctors of special education and more than 200 master's degree candidates can be conferred their advanced degrees on Friday.

On Saturday morning, Abent said, about 725 bachelor's degree students from SRU's College of Health, Environment and Science and College of Liberal Arts are invited to participate in commencement at 10 a.m. at Morrow Fieldhouse.

At 2 p.m., 630 students from the SRU College of Business and College of Education can participate in commencement ceremonies at Morrow Fieldhouse.

“Commencement is just a wonderful time at the university,” Abent said. “It's obviously bittersweet because many students have become integral parts of the SRU family.”

She said faculty and staff at the university also enjoy the commencement ceremonies each year.

“It's always a very exciting time when we kind of take stock of our past, present and the wonderful legacy these students bring us,” Abent said.

The favorite part of commencement for Abent involves the bachelor's degree students who will enter the military after graduation.

This year, 13 graduates will be inducted into the U.S. Army during commencement and commissioned as second lieutenants.

“That's one of the times you get goose bumps,” Abent said. “Today, they're just your typical college student and tomorrow they are leaders in the military.”

She said the students will enter active duty, the National Guard or the Army Reserves. Some will be deployed overseas.

“The incredible sense of duty they have taken on? It's very emotional,” Abent said. “They always get a great response from their classmates and the audience.”

She said SRU is known as a close-knit campus with a family vibe, and commencement is no different.

“Imagine being at your favorite family celebration,” Abent said. “That's what that moment is like.”