Agree that large graduations are boring. That’s why you bring something to read, if there’s not enough on your smartphone to amuse you. And snacks, if you’re gonna get hungry or thirsty.
I love academic pomp. I love knowing about the differences between gowns for bachelors vs masters vs PhDs; about the color code on the hoods. I love seeing the range of colors of gowns and styles of cap because of how different universities choose to equip their grads. I love how the faculty in more, uhm, casual departments are wearing shorts and Birkenstocks. I even love Elgar. I love seeing so many happy and proud families. Kids whose grandparents attended the school; kids who are first generation college attendees. Also, when there are decent refreshments.
As a young person, I suffered through graduations because I knew it was important to my family, and I introduced my parents to my professors even though I knew my father would embarrass me (he did!). As an adult, my kids suffered through graduations because they know it’s important to DH and me, and I appreciated that they introduced us to the professors we had heard about and that we had the obligatory awkward conversations. (I suspect there’s already been an anthropology dissertation about this bizarre cultural ritual!)
But as someone who works at a university, I have the opportunity - nay, the contractual obligation - to sit through our annual graduation ceremony honoring over 1000 graduates in a much too long event. In a stadium where I get no cellphone service. And having to sit in a location where reading a book would be over the top impolite. It’s one of my least favorite parts of the job. But one of the favorite parts of my job is the procession into the venue where I get to high-five students and the aftermath on the way to the parking lot where I get to have those awkward conversations with parents.
D wanted to go to her college graduation, although she knew it would be somewhat boring … actually, it went pretty quickly & wasn’t bad at all. S did not want to go to his, but he did it for us (and his grandparents) … and he didn’t mind it (they did a really good job for a big school). I actually plan graduation at the school where I work, and although I could do without the speaker (I don’t get to pick) and the speeches from the top dogs thanking each other for all they do … I love the day, love meeting the parents and spouses, love everything about it. I tell the students who don’t want to attend that I want them to be there!
If you want to go to an awesome graduation…go to University of NC School of the Arts. It’s a performing arts school…and the graduation is a fabulous production…featuring all of their schools.
My kid got to play solo,trumpet in a piece that feature the grad speaker…Kristen Chenowith. He was raised to the stage on a rising platform…it was something. Beautiful,sets as well…and lighting. A fabulous show!
I like the pomp and circumstance too. I am so hokey that I themed everything I wore to the colors of the kids’ schools. I had several royal blue dresses for the events for D and I had purple for the events surrounding S; yes, even for the dinners and celebrations off campus. I am hopelessly hokey in this regard! I also spent time just wandering each campus by myself or with kid in tow and soaking it all in. I just love the atmosphere.
I dissuaded my family from attending my college graduation because I’d attended my now-husband’s, then-boyfriend’s ceremony at the same university the previous year and thought it was a horrifyingly disorganized, meaningless, crowded mess. My parents were surprised at first, but didn’t push the issue. I’ve never regretted the decision.
My kids wanted to go to their graduations, so of course we went. For undergrad, the ceremonies were beautifully run, a nice mix of pomp and real attachment to the school from the students and faculty. Great student speakers at W & M (three graduations there, remarkable speaker each time).
We went to UVA for a law school graduation in 2014. The law school ceremony was wonderful - again, lots of personal attachment to see, especially close relationships between students and faculty. But I’d like the 3-plus hours of my life back that I spent at the general graduation ceremony that morning. I wasn’t prepared for the entire audience around us to STAND ON THEIR SEATS when the ceremony began. It was impossible to see anyone coming in, though we did enjoy a nice parade of Mylar balloons over the heads of the standees while 5,000 people trooped in down the Lawn. Couldn’t even see the big TV screens on display. (I’m too old to stand on a folding chair).
I admit that I was very relieved that S didn’t want to go to the main Columbia ceremony when he got his journalism degree. I think it takes at least 5 hours, and there are tens of thousands of people there. The J school has its own ceremony later in the day, which is much more meaningful and, thank doG, held indoors in an air-conditioned building. The tickets are very limited, though, and despite having only 4 guests, S had to buy at least one from another student.
S’s graduation was a whole weekend starting on Friday night with a cocktail party/wine tasting for the grads and family and honors ceremony for those who got them. Saturday morning was a symposium with the commencement speaker and the three other honorees. Very interesting. None of the students came as they were sleeping/packing. Baccalaureate was Saturday afternoon and held outdoors. It was a beautiful ceremony and, IMO, more moving then Commencement -which was Sunday and had to be held indoors because it was raining. Tickets were limited because it was indoors but it was shown on close circuit in the performing arts center, too Then the luncheon for all attendees - with lobster rolls yum as the main event. There was never any discussion of S not participating and if he hadn’t wanted to we would have said too bad, you’re going. I just don’t understand the mindset of parents not wanting to see their child(ren) graduate.
The woman’s crew team had just won the NCAA championship in California on Saturday afternoon and was able to make it back in time to Maine for the Seniors to walk. I’m sure they were exhausted but there was no way they were going to miss Commencement.
I’m like Emilybee in that regard. I wanted to attend all the convocations, events, etc. Never a discussion of my kids not going. Would not have missed it for the world.
However, I’m now offering a bunch of purple dresses at half-off, lol.
I only have one so will like to attend and enjoy her college graduation when the time comes. I still have her robe from kindergarten grad and high school. Would probably have a celebration lunch or dinner with family and gift her a nice vacation after that.
