Mens agitat molem
Jun. 12th, 2004 11:36 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
eve_primeThe UO motto (from Vergil's Aeneid), which very roughly means "mind over matter," is especially apt in B's case, given the amazing achievement of sustaining an A- average over four years when he doesn't even enjoy the educational process. And here he is, free at last:
First, B., R., D., and the grandparents from California went to breakfast together, then R. picked up K. who stayed with D. while the rest of us went to the ceremonies. (Enough initials?) I parked in front of the Tri-Delt house, amazed at the available spaces, and was even more amazed to learn that I could have parked right in front of Mac Court -- despite graduation being held within, there were at least 10 times more free spaces than on a typical weekday. R. found us seats in a prime spot -- a direct view of the podium, and an excellent view of the students' seats. B. carried the department sign! He then sat in easy view of us, one seat in from the near edge.
Basically, the main university commencement ceremony is rather poorly attended, which I did not expect at all. The psych department ceremony at 3 p.m. put about as many people in Mac Court as had the whole main 12:30 p.m. event. My theory is that we Oregonians are relatively unenamored with formality.
Things moved along a bit more quickly than I expected. A student from Benin gave a pretty good speech, with the amusing comment that his interest in Oregon started when he was learning English, and found the Oregon accent easiest to understand. The main speech was by an archaeology professor and rather more focused on highlights of his career and less on students, graduation, the future, inspiration, etc., than one would expect and desire. The department ceremony was nearly all just students getting to walk across and shake hands and get their diploma covers, and there were about 250 of them (of which only about 15 had been to the main ceremony). I was especially impressed with a bachelor's recipient who had six kids, and touched by the doctorate recipient with her newborn in a front pack, and the way she turned for the camera to show the baby as well.
I had actually brought two books and a pad of paper in case I was too bored or antsy, but the four hours of sitting and listening to many things of little interest turned out to be fine, because it was punctuated with enough moments of great interest, and we are certainly very proud of our B.
Afterwards -- cake, gifts, and pictures, and then B. headed off to work and I ordered a pizza. K. had given us a copy of Wallace and Grommit's "A Close Shave," which we watched before eating, and then R's parents left for their hotel and I went on a walk. Not sunny today, but no rain either, and a very comfortable temperature (high of 70).
First, B., R., D., and the grandparents from California went to breakfast together, then R. picked up K. who stayed with D. while the rest of us went to the ceremonies. (Enough initials?) I parked in front of the Tri-Delt house, amazed at the available spaces, and was even more amazed to learn that I could have parked right in front of Mac Court -- despite graduation being held within, there were at least 10 times more free spaces than on a typical weekday. R. found us seats in a prime spot -- a direct view of the podium, and an excellent view of the students' seats. B. carried the department sign! He then sat in easy view of us, one seat in from the near edge.
Basically, the main university commencement ceremony is rather poorly attended, which I did not expect at all. The psych department ceremony at 3 p.m. put about as many people in Mac Court as had the whole main 12:30 p.m. event. My theory is that we Oregonians are relatively unenamored with formality.
Things moved along a bit more quickly than I expected. A student from Benin gave a pretty good speech, with the amusing comment that his interest in Oregon started when he was learning English, and found the Oregon accent easiest to understand. The main speech was by an archaeology professor and rather more focused on highlights of his career and less on students, graduation, the future, inspiration, etc., than one would expect and desire. The department ceremony was nearly all just students getting to walk across and shake hands and get their diploma covers, and there were about 250 of them (of which only about 15 had been to the main ceremony). I was especially impressed with a bachelor's recipient who had six kids, and touched by the doctorate recipient with her newborn in a front pack, and the way she turned for the camera to show the baby as well.
I had actually brought two books and a pad of paper in case I was too bored or antsy, but the four hours of sitting and listening to many things of little interest turned out to be fine, because it was punctuated with enough moments of great interest, and we are certainly very proud of our B.
Afterwards -- cake, gifts, and pictures, and then B. headed off to work and I ordered a pizza. K. had given us a copy of Wallace and Grommit's "A Close Shave," which we watched before eating, and then R's parents left for their hotel and I went on a walk. Not sunny today, but no rain either, and a very comfortable temperature (high of 70).