The Graduation Gift

May 14, 2008 by Suzy Ogé    No Comments    Posted under: Inspiring

All Adjunct (part-time) Professors at Webster University are invited (expected) to attend the annual graduation ceremony in May along with the semi-annual faculty meeting scheduled for our convenience on the morning before the afternoon ceremony. 

It was Saturday morning and the start of a three day Holiday Weekend.  The gift of unusually glorious, sunny and  warm weather was an unexpected taste of summer!   My husband was giving the kids their breakfast and the look he gave me as I walked out the door for the day could have otherwise sent me on an all-expenses paid guilt trip.  Our daughter is just weeks away from her first birthday and is currently as exhausting as she is adorable.  The prospect of entertaining and containing her for the entire day could leave anyone looking desperate before breakfast.  It was not as if I was heading out to the beach or spa; I had made a commitment and was simply fulfilling my obligation to be there, so no reaction from me, just a kiss and a plan to meet them later in Leiden.

By the time I arrived at the faculty meeting, I instantly remembered why I actually enjoy coming to these faculty meetings.  The faculty includes a variety and depth of individuals that have interesting “day jobs” in a multitude of sectors in business, international relations, media, psychology and the arts to name a few.  It is one of the reasons I enjoyed being a student at Webster too.  Having the opportunity to get to know each other is better than attending any “networking event”.  It was my pleasure to be there. 

At the end of the meeting we heard first from Peter van Krieken on his experience working in Laos with a UN organization for the past 2 years and then from Bruce Mutsvairo, who just returned from Zimbabwe reporting for the Associated Press.  The first hand account of his daring experiences reporting on the elections was awe inspiring.  It was truly my privilege to be there.

On to the graduation ceremony, we traveled together by boat through the canals to the Hooglandse Kerk.  Fully dressed in our caps and gowns, I was delighted to see a few of my former students on their big day. As the procession began and we marched behind the Dean and Department Heads through the aisle, I was struck by the faces of the friends and family members beaming with pride and full of anticipation to catch a glimpse of “Their Graduate”.  I did not know a soul in the crowd, but their energy was pure excitement. The day was not about me, and it was with no particular expectations that I could sit on the sidelines with the faculty and truly appreciate the gift of graduation.  It was an honor to be there.

I had intended to blog about the speeches, but I have already gone on and on. Fortunately, the speakers did not! All of the speakers were insightful and most importantly concise.

It is a shame that Graduation Ceremonies are not held everywhere around the world, including the Netherlands.  Many Dutch schools are now changing their names from Hogeschoolen (why would you want to change that?) to Universities, so perhaps they should be required to institute the tradition of graduation ceremonies as well?  Education is our privilege and our responsibility- it should be honored and celebrated!  

One last suggestion, Webster should invite all potential students to the annual graduation ceremony instead of an Open Day. Who wouldn’t want to be sitting on the stage along with these talented and diverse students from all around the world with their studies behind them and bright futures ahead,  the potentials would enroll immediately!

Congrats Erin, Marc and Elizabeth!

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