Graduation

On 15 Dec Brenda and I headed for BHM to fly to Phoenix. We were headed to Andrew’s Ph.D. graduation at Arizona State. It was a BIG deal and likely our last chance to celebrate one of our kids’ graduations, although perhaps we can see a kindergarten, elementary, high school, or even college graduation for one of our grandchildren. It is a long trip, but I decided when I was a faculty member that I would attend every UA graduation if I was in town. At UA I volunteered to be a “Graduation Marshall” because that way I got to get up to escort my group to the stage, and I got to sit with the students. The biggest advantage was that I got to meet with my students as we lined them up to march in. I would get somebody to snap our picture in our graduation regalia. Plus, I got to chat with them a bit about their future. The biggest reason I went though was that I realized that there are only a few occasions in life wherein EVERYONE is happy, happy happy. Indeed, parents are overjoyed to be done paying tuition and room and board. Students are happy because they think “the hard part of life” is over. Now they can “adult”. Even Profs are happy that another cycle is complete and they are a bit closer to retirement, promotion, etc.

           This was especially sweet because right up until last October, we were NOT at all sure this day would ever come. Andrew had, surprising to me, struggled to finish his dissertation despite that he had collected all his data over a year earlier. He really struggled to get that dissertation written, edited, and defended. We had watched his defense via Facebook messenger.
          Even under the best of circumstances, completing a doc degree takes a lot of time, energy, money and most of all commitment. Anyone who completes their degree, and some don't, has accomplished something major. 
        And we need to celebrate when the opportunity presents. So, we were thrilled to celebrate, celebrate, celebrate. And we thoroughly enjoyed it.