Graduation

The situation I discussed in the previous post is ongoing. It is complex. Only God can make things work out. But I know He has a plan. I am so thankful for your prayers and caring.

Life goes on in the midst of "stuff". Last Friday was our graduation celebration for the Master of Social Work students. There is a big ceremony put on by the graduate school. But we like to have our own celebration. Most choose to do only ours, and forego the formal ceremony.

As I have said before, this was the 15th group I was privileged to "mother" through the graduation process. It was my last. The faculty all sit facing the students and their families and friends.

The students came in by processional - you can see the happy faces.

Each graduate is carrying a "hood" over his/her right arm. This is a stole which indicates which degree they are receiving - the coloring tells the tale. Part of our celebration is the "hooding" of each graduate. Normally this would be done at the grad school ceremony, but at our school they only hood Ph.D. students. Therefore, we have our own celebration and hooding. It has been my privilege each year to call out each graduate's name, after which they are hooded by the director of the program.

There were 45 grads this year, with approximately 350 guests.

The class had chosen 3 student speakers and two faculty speakers. This was the most speakers ever in the time I've been there. But all of the speeches were short, to the point, and well done.

Two students took their places at the podium and proceeded to honor me on my retirement. I was pleasantly surprised. The students gave me a bouquet (on the right), as did the faculty (on the left).

They all autographed this mug - I especially liked the signature on the inside.

I have to admit, it was a bit of an emotional time.

Here I am with one of the profs and one of the students.

And, last, my boss on the left, my co-worker who is moving next week, and whom I will really miss, beside me, with one of my prof friends on my left.