http://www.txstate.edu/commencement/candidate-information/photo-gallery/commencement-summer-2011.html, image number 20
Members of the Class of 2012 are nearing the end of their high school days, including our seniors in the print journalism/online media program. They, and the hundreds of others in LISD who will walk at the LEA in a few days, have much to be proud of.
I have good memories of my daughter Marie's high school graduation in 2005, and her graduation from Texas State University last August 13 (a Saturday), in San Marcos.
Things move fast in a university graduation. It's well planned, and since there is no rehearsal, whoever shows up, shows up. It gets done, and the out the door you go!
Of course, those graduating have completed the paperwork to be in the ceremony, and have paid for their cap and gown, and diploma. The only thing left is to do is to show up.
Graduation information for graduates and people interested in going is on the university's website. The info includes where the graduates will sit, location of a store is to buy souvenirs, where the graduates will go after the ceremony -- even where to park your car!
The info also states one can listen to the graduation on KTSW-FM (89.9), the university's radio station. The times are listed with the graduation information.
Last August there were three ceremonies planned, each one hour in length. One was at 11 a.m., another (my daughter's) at 2 p.m., and a third at 5 p.m.
We caught the last half of the first graduation as Mrs. Webber and I were driving past the little towns north of San Antonio. It finished a little after noon, just as we were passing the outlet malls south of San Marcos, and we decided we should have lunch immediately before the crowds left the graduation site. We found a nice restaurant and rushed inside and got a table. Sure enough, shortly afterwards in comes the graduates and their families!
Anyway, the graduation ceremony is held in the university's basketball arena, called Strahan Colliseum; it holds 7,200 people. We got there early, shortly after 1 p.m., and not only found parking close to the coliseum but also our choice of seating. As luck would have it, and thanks to the map of where graduates would be seated on the gym floor, we grabbed two seats which looked down on my daughter as she sat with her fellow grads! (photogallery Mrs. Webber and I can be seen in photo number 20.)
To start the graduation, a small orchestra plays music and the professors come in, followed by the graduates. Another song, then the university president speaks briefly.
Now for the fun part. Several people who finished their Ph.D. (academic doctoral degrees), were honored, then people who finished their master's degrees. Finally, those who finished their bachelor's degrees, including Marie. (The academic doctoral degree, by the way, can take from five to seven years to
complete!)
Then another song, and out you go! Everybody heads to Sewell Park, on the river adjacent to the coliseum. That's a great place to take photos and to hang out afterwards. Of course, you'll want to leave eventually, because of the hot summer sun and the desire to celebrate graduation.
How do the graduation organizers know who's shown up? Easy! Graduates get a piece of paper and write their name on it. Eventually, when they are in line heading to the stage, each gives the piece of paper to a professor standing behind a podium near the stage, who then reads the name. Of course, the graduate walks over to the person giving the diploma, who shakes his/her hand, and some other university officials who also shake the graduates' hands.
It's quite something to see. The line moves quickly! At times there were people waiting to shake all of the hands. Apparently, shaking hands is slower than walking.
So, what do graduates think of the ceremony? I asked only one, Marie, who spent most of the ceremony looking at her cell phone. LOL. Texting or playing a game, I guess.
In case you're wondering, I don't remember either of my graduations, for my bachelor's or master's degrees. I guess they were boring, or at least unmemorable. But I remember my high school graduation, and I remember my brother's and sister's graduations because neither came home until daylight!
But, I hope you enjoy your graduation, and remember your college ceremony!