Graduation Weekend
Graduation ceremonies were this weekend and I was very busy. My parents came in on Thursday night and my aunt, uncle, and cousin came on Friday morning. The first event was the Rackham graduation in Hill Auditorium. Rackham is the graduate school that confers all doctoral degrees here at UMich. It is named after Horace Rackham, who was a regent here in the late 19th century. This was the ceremony where I was hooded. Marilyn Mason played the organ and hooded me when the time came. When she hooded me she said "goodbye honey" with tears in her eyes. I said, "Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere right away and may end up staying if the St. Thomas job becomes permanent." I became a little teary-eyed as I walked back to my seat. She made ME emotional! After that, we attended the School of Music ceremony, where the undergrad and master's students in mu sic were recognized. Shortly after that, I had to play the organ for the Kinesiology graduation at Hill. Three graduations in one day and I was pooped.
Saturday, was the big, university-wide graduation at the Big House aka the football stadium. President Obama spoke. I had to be up at 6:30 as there was lots of security. While it was beautiful weather on Friday, it was pouring rain when I woke up yesterday. Fortunately, it stopped before the ceremony. As we were waiting in line to get in the stadium, we saw what we were pretty sure was Obama's motorcade. The window were tinted, so we couldn't see if he was in any of the cars. Amazingly, the brakes squeaked on several of the cars! You would think that they would have working brakes on cars that carry the president! We were seated at about 9am, but had to wait until 11 for the ceremony to begin. Mary Martin, a graduating voice major whom I know, sung the national anthem beautifully. Then UMich president Mary Sue Coleman and Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm spoke before the president. Obama gave a really good speech, but it did get political. He attacked Fox News subtly, but didn't mention their name. I was thrilled to get a chance to see and hear him in person.
Yesterday evening, my parents had a toast for me at Dr. Gena's. Dr. Paula, Dr. Gena, Phil (Dr. Gena's handyman and friend of mine), Marilyn Mason, Louise Stein (my written dissertation advisor), Igor (my student and math professor at UMich), Kathy, my aunt Jean, uncle Lynn, cousin John and Marilyn Mason and her friend Betsy were all there. I was very happy for my parents to meet Louise, as she helped me tremendously and has the same first name as my mom. Everybody had cards with checks or gifts. The most moving was from my aunt Jean because the check had my grandmother's name on it. Jean inherited money from her when she died and gave me $200 from that account. I never dreamed that I would get something from my late grandmother, but Jean said she would have wanted it and she was right. Then, we went to dinner at Ayse's. My late teacher Bob Glasgow used to eat lunch there every day and the food is delicious. Ayse is Turkish and she even gave me some Turkish candy as a gift. I was very appreciative. My parents and aunt, uncle, and cousin left this morning and I didn't get to see them as I was busy at church. I had a great time this weekend and am grateful to everyone who came and everyone who helped me through this degree.
Saturday, was the big, university-wide graduation at the Big House aka the football stadium. President Obama spoke. I had to be up at 6:30 as there was lots of security. While it was beautiful weather on Friday, it was pouring rain when I woke up yesterday. Fortunately, it stopped before the ceremony. As we were waiting in line to get in the stadium, we saw what we were pretty sure was Obama's motorcade. The window were tinted, so we couldn't see if he was in any of the cars. Amazingly, the brakes squeaked on several of the cars! You would think that they would have working brakes on cars that carry the president! We were seated at about 9am, but had to wait until 11 for the ceremony to begin. Mary Martin, a graduating voice major whom I know, sung the national anthem beautifully. Then UMich president Mary Sue Coleman and Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm spoke before the president. Obama gave a really good speech, but it did get political. He attacked Fox News subtly, but didn't mention their name. I was thrilled to get a chance to see and hear him in person.
Yesterday evening, my parents had a toast for me at Dr. Gena's. Dr. Paula, Dr. Gena, Phil (Dr. Gena's handyman and friend of mine), Marilyn Mason, Louise Stein (my written dissertation advisor), Igor (my student and math professor at UMich), Kathy, my aunt Jean, uncle Lynn, cousin John and Marilyn Mason and her friend Betsy were all there. I was very happy for my parents to meet Louise, as she helped me tremendously and has the same first name as my mom. Everybody had cards with checks or gifts. The most moving was from my aunt Jean because the check had my grandmother's name on it. Jean inherited money from her when she died and gave me $200 from that account. I never dreamed that I would get something from my late grandmother, but Jean said she would have wanted it and she was right. Then, we went to dinner at Ayse's. My late teacher Bob Glasgow used to eat lunch there every day and the food is delicious. Ayse is Turkish and she even gave me some Turkish candy as a gift. I was very appreciative. My parents and aunt, uncle, and cousin left this morning and I didn't get to see them as I was busy at church. I had a great time this weekend and am grateful to everyone who came and everyone who helped me through this degree.