Students at Mary Baldwin College are asking neighbors in the community to recycle their master's graduation gowns.

Between student loans and the cost of living, paying $90 for a graduation gown just isn't in the budget for some, which is why many decide not to take part their graduation ceremony.

However, faculty and other students say graduates deserve to be recognized, and they are hoping to get several gowns donated so the students don't miss out.

"Graduation is one of those times of celebration, and especially like a master's degree, all you put into it, going through being hooded, it's a whole other level of honor that I think students really would like to participate in, and anything we can do to help them with that is really helpful," says Master's student Amanda Allen.

The students are looking for 38 gowns that will be used in their commencement ceremony this May.

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