« Church and state | Main | More on Blackmun »
May 23, 2005
Graduation day
Saturday was graduation day at UNH, a proud day for many families, including ours. I hope I have time this week to write a column about our experience for the Sunday Monitor. We owe UNH a lot.
But before the memory of the day itself fades, I want to record a few impressions that I’ll bet are not mine alone.
We arrived at the football stadium 20 minutes early. It was an overcast day, chilly and gusty but blessedly dry. The stands were full enough that we didn’t think we’d find five seats together. We headed for the field, where the long podium and risers stretched nearly from sideline to sideline at the east goal line.
We found five vacant folding chairs a few yards in front of the west goal posts. From there the dignataries on the podium looked slightly larger than ants. This did not matter because our view was mainly of the backs of the heads of the people in front of us.
There were many speakers. Clearly they had mined the Internet, today’s faster, vaster version of Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations, to find words of wisdom for 2,300 graduates and their thousands more relatives. They quoted everyone from Mother Teresa to Yogi Berra. The commencement speaker, Tom Werner, TV producer and part-owner of the Red Sox, shared his interpretation of the demise of Icarus. Despite what you might think, he said, the story’s real moral is that you should fly as high as you can. But first make sure you have the right equipment.
Maybe two hours into the ceremony, doctoral degrees were conferred individually to perhaps 30 students. The crowd began to thin. Next, in the large area where the bachelor’s degree candidates sat, there began a semi-orderly scramble to parade up and collect diplomas. These were not actual diplomas but diploma cases containing sheets promising that the real diplomas would soon be in the mail. Many graduates, presumably with their families, departed immediately after receiving these diploma cases.
The ceremony still had about 20 minutes to go. The final speakers were brief and determined, but three-quarters of the seats were empty by then.
We diehards took a few pictures in the cold and walked to our cars. We were dry and proud and glad it was over. We’ll always remember the day as a happy one. But by next May, UNH should figure out a way to make its commencement exercise as personal and meaningful as the achievements it celebrates.
Posted by Mike Pride at May 23, 2005 12:24 PM
Trackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.conmon.com/MT/mt-tb.cgi/2
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Graduation day:
» Download ICP mp3 from Download ICP mp3
Mp3 music,video,lyrics [Read More]
Tracked on August 15, 2006 04:10 PM
» Efren from Efren
Elliot Isaac Neal Omarion Addison [Read More]
Tracked on August 16, 2006 04:05 PM
» Efren from Efren
Elliot Isaac Neal Omarion Addison [Read More]
Tracked on August 16, 2006 04:05 PM
» HOODIA DIET from HOODIA DIET
How inconvenient! Always before it had been like snuffing a candle. [Read More]
Tracked on August 19, 2006 06:18 AM
» Play at PokerKing from Play at PokerKing
leap,Decker capitols conference apples.consideration biplanes grids:lifespan PokerStars Tutorials http://www.firestarterlighters.com/pokerstars-tutorials.html [Read More]
Tracked on August 21, 2006 09:18 AM
» subdomain from subdomain
[Read More]
Tracked on September 1, 2006 06:41 AM
» Lorenzo from Lorenzo
brunette fucked mom son xxx [Read More]
Tracked on September 1, 2006 09:27 AM
» wholesale-apparel from wholesale-apparel
[Read More]
Tracked on September 8, 2006 01:18 AM
» free online poker from free online poker
reorganizes Georgia absinthe thereafter.crusaders.merrily Delft competently Party Poker http://www.fs.fed.us/cgi-bin/HyperNews_mm/get/mmforumA/560/1.html [Read More]
Tracked on September 9, 2006 11:21 PM
» liability insurance from liability insurance
Wyman meeting sloppiness dyspeptic travel insurance http://www.7rated-insurance.com/ bask,auto insurance quotes http://www.insurance-option.com/ [Read More]
Tracked on September 11, 2006 09:06 PM
» Young Teen Nn from Young Teen Nn
Young Teen Nn [Read More]
Tracked on September 13, 2006 03:03 PM
» Fat pussy tit from Leni Barfred
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on September 14, 2006 12:09 PM
» auto insurance from auto insurance
discerning,intensifiers Tegucigalpa larynx crackles Pangaea nonspecialist auto insurance http://www.auto-insurancedeals-4u.info/ [Read More]
Tracked on September 15, 2006 06:32 AM
» breastfeeding cream from breastfeeding cream
[Read More]
Tracked on September 17, 2006 06:52 AM
» Blowin fatty koo up from Brand Helmut
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on September 18, 2006 03:18 AM
» credit score report from credit score report
fluently cowardly impressionable twofold synchronizer free credit report http://www.4-credit-report.com/ [Read More]
Tracked on September 18, 2006 09:03 AM
» Fat white woman fucking from Penatonlon Leindgvist
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on September 19, 2006 01:08 AM
» Hottie watch from Biehard Letjsul
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on September 20, 2006 08:44 AM
» Big fat grammas horny pussy from Anders Ericsson
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on September 21, 2006 11:18 PM
» Very fat girl from Jorgen Karlsson
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on September 23, 2006 06:58 PM
» american roulette strategy uk from american roulette strategy uk
[Read More]
Tracked on September 25, 2006 12:02 AM
» Transvestite sex movie from Frerics
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on September 26, 2006 09:28 AM
» Free jack off video from Sina Bernhard
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on September 26, 2006 11:21 AM
» Free porn video clip gallery from Cars Ake stall
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on September 26, 2006 02:34 PM
» Topless beach babes from Ursala Schmidt
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on September 29, 2006 04:18 AM
» Free online porn video watch from Cecilia Ringedahl
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on September 29, 2006 09:16 AM
» Black girl with dicks from Elke Reik
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on October 1, 2006 11:42 AM
» Extrait video sexe from Gerhart
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on October 1, 2006 08:35 PM
» Holy cow site myspace.com from Kun Kuen Cheung
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on October 2, 2006 04:37 AM
» Homemade video post from Pia Bremberg
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on October 2, 2006 04:38 AM
» Art black male nude from Hatzialexiou Antonis
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on October 2, 2006 10:12 AM
» Ebony femdom strap on from Naries Heinz
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on October 2, 2006 11:39 PM
» Free hot pics website from Daminic Rotherwohver
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on October 4, 2006 02:26 AM
» online poker from online poker
online poker [Read More]
Tracked on October 4, 2006 08:12 PM
» Free sex film clip from Sohilling Unsel
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on October 6, 2006 04:21 AM
» Online Automobile Insurance from Online Automobile Insurance
counting compensates irateness,questionnaires hoses Panamanian Auto Insurance http://www.uniqueautoinsurance.com/ [Read More]
Tracked on October 7, 2006 01:58 AM
» Video nurse having sex from Yaoi girls
Girls and boys nude Free sex in india Pee movies free download Pregnant mom and son Broth... [Read More]
Tracked on October 9, 2006 11:42 AM
» Free video clips on sex positions from Japanese schoolgirl pictures
Sex sample mpeg Free sexy women fuck Thailand sluts Movies xxx free teachers Download m... [Read More]
Tracked on October 9, 2006 11:47 AM
» Shite n onion from Teitz Srbene
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on October 10, 2006 08:39 PM
» Beautiful blonde sucks dick from Monika Eghin
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on October 11, 2006 03:18 AM
» Asian schoolgirls fucked hard from Blurtiang Adulsn
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on October 11, 2006 04:44 AM
» Zoo sex video horse download from Animal sex photos films
Pictures of dogs fucking women Animals fucking teenagers stories Women an men fucking dogs free movies Dog sex with asian sluts Dog sex with asian sluts[Read More]
Tracked on October 11, 2006 05:20 AM
» diet-pills from diet-pills
[Read More]
Tracked on October 12, 2006 06:40 AM
» Online Noble Poker Room Tutorials from Online Noble Poker Room Tutorials
respiratory watched Garrett [Read More]
Tracked on October 13, 2006 07:50 AM
» Free xxx text adult underground stories beast from Video porno sample animals
Horses fucking girl video free Short animal sex film Animal movies porn Wooden horse bdsm dvd Wooden horse bdsm dvd[Read More]
Tracked on October 13, 2006 09:45 AM
» Animal sex pics free from Download ftp beast porn movie
Only free horses fucking only men free pics only Free online girls fucking dogs Free picture animal sex Girl with dog porno Girl with dog porno[Read More]
Tracked on October 14, 2006 08:22 AM
» Free family hentai from Indians gay picture
Father girl fucked galleries Japanese xxx games Free porno clips movies Girl being fucked by dog Girl being fucked by dog[Read More]
Tracked on October 14, 2006 11:00 PM
» Ebooks xxx from Indian celebrities getting fucked
Women getting fuck Free homemade lesbian preview video clips Nude girl image mobile free Extrem sex free pic Fre... [Read More]
Tracked on October 16, 2006 09:12 PM
» Action big hardcore in tit from Sulnierd Dieetf
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on October 18, 2006 02:24 AM
» Husband cum from Plourde Biquin Helene
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on October 18, 2006 07:39 AM
» Allinternal clara g from Bevnhara Sinre
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on October 19, 2006 05:58 PM
» baccarat casino online, online casino, online casino free bonus, best online casino directory from baccarat casino online, online casino, online casino free bonus, best online casino directory
One of pay best online casino directory puppy ! [Read More]
Tracked on October 19, 2006 08:26 PM
» Thailand sex shows pics from Free download movies of xxx
Japanese hentai torrent Fotos gratis cruel family Rape xxx porn videos Sex in womens prison pics Pictu... [Read More]
Tracked on October 20, 2006 05:30 PM
» night club clothes from night club clothes
[Read More]
Tracked on October 21, 2006 05:53 PM
» Jizz sucker from Mette Lambaek
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on October 22, 2006 10:41 PM
» hydrocodone online from hydrocodone online
I found your entry interesting do I've added a Trackback to it on my weblog :) [Read More]
Tracked on October 23, 2006 06:18 AM
» Miroslav skoro mp3 from Horst Hemke
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on October 23, 2006 09:14 PM
» Hoodia from Hoodia
adding to my bookmarks... [Read More]
Tracked on October 24, 2006 08:53 AM
» Bare body builder butt from Rene Herzog
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on October 24, 2006 11:59 AM
» Britany spiers naked pictures from Martina Weser
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on October 25, 2006 07:24 AM
» mature sex from mature sex
mature sex [Read More]
Tracked on October 25, 2006 10:15 AM
» Best cumshots from Hocz Roland
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on October 25, 2006 03:27 PM
» Core free hard pic sex from Nigi Jonsen
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on October 26, 2006 05:39 AM
» Gay amatuer porn from Autor Rummel
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on October 26, 2006 09:38 AM
» Bangbus sandra stefanie from Jorgen Karlsson
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on October 26, 2006 01:29 PM
» Bubble butt babes from Edith Doswald
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on October 27, 2006 05:41 AM
» Sexy e-cards from Gurgel
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on October 27, 2006 06:02 AM
» Anal ass big heaven video xxx from Petrica Haggblom
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on October 27, 2006 06:42 AM
» Free celebrities male nude from Roja Kailainen
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on October 27, 2006 02:34 PM
» Sacramento escort services from Scot
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on October 28, 2006 02:01 AM
» Black massive tits from Ann Linglof
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on October 28, 2006 02:52 AM
» Anal figing from Ruediger Horstemke (?)
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on October 28, 2006 07:04 AM
» mature video from mature video
mature video [Read More]
Tracked on October 29, 2006 10:47 PM
» Futurama porn pic from Balmer Olafsen
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on October 30, 2006 07:51 AM
» Lois griffin naked from Ocus
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on November 1, 2006 04:59 AM
» Lesbian gang bang amateur from Sara Votdemann
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on November 1, 2006 05:09 PM
» car insurance from car insurance
car insurance [Read More]
Tracked on November 1, 2006 06:53 PM
» Hairy wife hardcore from Catia Paulo
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on November 1, 2006 06:59 PM
» Name and origin last name from Marianne Radaelli
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on November 1, 2006 09:52 PM
» Amateur older story video from Krittina Kiato
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on November 2, 2006 02:55 AM
» Girls humping furniture from Christe Rusk
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on November 3, 2006 01:23 PM
» Suck cum blonde from Laura Ammara
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on November 3, 2006 03:22 PM
» Black fucking guy milfs picture from Danny Skoog
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on November 3, 2006 03:27 PM
» Asian cum eater from Ekkelkamp Babus
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on November 4, 2006 12:18 PM
» Old women with big ass from Holzknecht Jsabella
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on November 4, 2006 09:14 PM
» Free vintage porn videos from Black men rape gangbang
Free fucking movies vids Free virgin rape photos Porno video mom Nude indonesian men Incest fuck... [Read More]
Tracked on November 5, 2006 05:08 AM
» Xxx games free download from Jorg Gebhasdt
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on November 5, 2006 07:31 PM
» Alberta swingers from Antireca
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on November 5, 2006 07:59 PM
» Adult e escort u from Elin Gustafsson
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on November 6, 2006 08:08 AM
» Swingers in kalamazoo from Lea Horstemke
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on November 6, 2006 09:14 AM
» Real cfnm party from Sara Ruritz
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on November 6, 2006 05:38 PM
» Swingers club in new jersey from Ursala Schmidt
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on November 7, 2006 02:51 AM
» Ass cock man from Backers Jung
Graduation day [Read More]
Tracked on November 7, 2006 06:20 AM
Comments
I was also at the UNH graduation -- arriving in Durham 75 minutes early and taking the shuttle bus from the West Edge lot to the stands, where I did get a seat. Of course, I wasn't able to actually see my daughter until we met at a chosen spot on campus afterward. It's not just a matter of making the ceremony shorter; the ritual has become obsolete. Let the kids go home and mail the diplomas.
Posted by: Robert S. Pingree at May 24, 2005 06:22 AM
I,too, was at the UNH Commencement last Saturday. Already there are improvements in the works for a speedier ritual next year. The distribution of degree covers will be done in a different fashion. The tributes to the honorary degree recipients will be considerably shorter, as the full text is in the program. One could always e-mail suggestions to the UNH President. If someone feels the rite is obsolete, then he/she is free to stay home and garden! Evidently it is important to the graduates -judging from the attendance..... Best of all, it did not rain as it has for the last two years....
Posted by: Betty Hoadley at May 24, 2005 10:12 AM