<p>I felt the way oldfort did in post #18 and DS accommodated us. </p>
<p>Gotta say that about half way through the ceremony (hot hot hot and boring even with a “known” commencement speaker), I wondered what I’d made such a big deal about.</p>
<p>DS’ school (Engineering) came early in the ceremony. He walked up individually and received his(mock) diploma (real ones given out in a gym later that day). We could barely see him. Since it was in an outdoor sports arena (medium large top U), we could leave early (as did many parents in our situation), but he could not… </p>
<p>He remained gracious about it, but I realized afterward that the ceremony is no big deal. The accomplishment is a huge deal. In hindsight, I would not have insisted he attend.</p>