“Under the big top”

Tomorrow is commencement, so today is rehearsal. I will be serving as a marshal for the master’s degree candidates from my college (Liberal Arts). Completely new format this year and the 1,200 degree candidates will gather under this giant tent outside the SIU Arena, a venue for music concerts as well as the home of the men’s and women’s basketball teams. SOOC except for name.

A year ago (“After the last class…”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2011-05-11

Today I actually took a photograph of my class writing their final exam. I took it from the back, but the room was so oversized for the number of students who eventually registered for the class that it wasn’t a very interesting shot, though it would have served to show my “Godfather-like” strategy with regard to student cell phones: turn them off and put them right-side-up on the chair or desk next to yours: “Keep your friends close…”

[Rick Schies]

It sounds like a big day ahead of you. Good luck to them all.

[Joyce Wells]

Hope your big day went well! You made me laugh with your reference about the exams and cell phones. We're in the middle of state exam, and I have to use my sternest voice to read the directions to my 5th graders. "Use of cell phones is strictly forbidden. Turn off your cell phones now and place them under your chair." The kids always laugh, since they're not allowed to have cell phones on in school anyway - and most 10-11 year olds don't have them.

[Heidi]

Good choice of subject for today's shot! Hope the ceremony goes well! btw, love the cell phone strategy!!

[Thom Mitchell]

@digitalrn @sparkleplenty1 @chauncygirl Commencement went pretty well. I enjoyed chatting with the Art & Design MFA seated next to me. I happened to spot her with her family outside afterward. I want to post my shot of her and her dad, but still awaiting her permission to do so… Our speaker was NASA astronaut Mark Kelly ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Kelly_(astronaut) — aka “Mr. Gabby Giffords”); he was very good!