Our annual opportunity to dress up in costumes but no one looks at us oddly. I love the ceremonial gowns, the traditions, the joy I see in the graduates and their families, and the chance to celebrate the end of the school year and transition to summer 'break.' There's also a little poignancy as students we've spent up to the past 5 years mentoring are suddenly 'all grown up' -- taking positions at other universities and leaving our nest.
Every color and fabric is significant in our costumes. Photo on the left shows the colorful hoods that you only see from the back -- the inner silks are in the colors of the school that granted our degree (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign [navy/orange] for me and Washington State University [red/white] for Jim. The exterior velvet indicates your field. I went with light blue [education]; Jim has traditional Ph.D. deep blue/black. UIC has red robes -- makes a very colorful scene.
Junko's ( @jyokota) husband Bill, our colleague, was my tripod. This was taken before we lined up for the processional -- in a parking garage next to the pavilion which was converted to a red carpeted venue for the event. The garage stayed a garage.
A very successful night despite an ongoing downpour.
Gradation day is so special, you must feel very proud of all the students who pass through! Lovely happy portrait, hubbypods are a useful gadget to have in the bag..!
@gerry@ness50@jackie8@jo13 Thank you Gerry, Vanessa, Jackie, and Jo! @barbsmith Thanks Barb. We'll head up Memorial weekend -- can't wait -- but there's still some work between now and then. @pflaume@kazlamont Thanks Lisa and Kazzy -- and glad to share a little bit of this part of what I do. @kimshots Thanks Kim -- I'm looking forward to break a lot. @colie Thanks Colie -- always fun to share little bits of my world.
Bill did a nice job as a tripod! I love this photo of you two . . . and I also like the background line showing an important part of the graduation festivities. (lining up.)
May 14th, 2013
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@barbsmith Thanks Barb. We'll head up Memorial weekend -- can't wait -- but there's still some work between now and then.
@pflaume @kazlamont Thanks Lisa and Kazzy -- and glad to share a little bit of this part of what I do.
@kimshots Thanks Kim -- I'm looking forward to break a lot.
@colie Thanks Colie -- always fun to share little bits of my world.
How very rewarding this must be! Your summer break to the island is well deserved!