On Graduation

The past two days have whizzed by in a flurry of caps, gowns, tassels, hoods, and camera flashes. I'm not quite sure if I've comprehended the fact that I won't be going back to school next August. Or maybe I have and my unending optimism has reassured me that, somehow, everything is going to be the same as it ever was. Either way, the past two days succeeding in putting my entire Seton Hill career into focus. It reminded me of what I, and my classmates, have accomplished during our four years here, and it has also reminded me why I shall miss Seton Hill so much.

Any negativity seemed to vanish Friday (not that there was much to begin with) as I connected with various faculty and friends at the division parties. I'm not sure if they have division parties at every school, but if they do I can't imagine them being as accessible as the ones at SHU. It was nice being able to walk into any party and know that I will see friendly faces.

I was honored by how many people complimented me on my work for the Setonian. I had always known that folks liked my cartoons, mainly because people would approach me in the dining hall to tell me so, but the amount of feedback I received over the past two days has been unbelievable. I had staff members from Financial Aid coming up to me after mass, telling me about how they loved the "tuition czar" idea, professors that I had never met before told me that they would miss my columns, and I was even mentioned in Monsignor Rubino's homily at the baccalaureate mass. I was truly honored by everyone's kind words.

The graduation ceremony on Saturday was wonderful. Rick Sebeck gave a great commencement speech dispensing some valuable advice to the class of '07--like "always order the special" at a restaurant. He kept saying how nervous he was, but really if he hadn't said it you wouldn't have known.

I can't help but feel like I had the best seat in the house that day. Because all of the graduates were arranged by their degrees (with Bachelors of Arts first), the Fine Arts kids were second in line; therefore, I was able to see all of my beloved friends at Seton Hill sitting in various rows in front of me. By some stroke of luck, I could see the majority of my closes friends, and it just seemed too perfect. I wasn't going to woot or yell when they were called on stage, but I certainly clapped as hard as I could.

The reception after graduation seemed very much like the ending of the film "Big Fish." After going through the receiving line, I emerged on Sullivan Lawn to find that people I have known throughout the past four years were there, waiting for me. I saw staff members and faculty, family, friends, and even alumnae that I hadn't seen in years. I always feel that I need to say something profoundly sentimental at these sorts of moments. Phrases that are supposed to somehow encapsulate the entire time that I have known someone... but I just can't do it. Instead I just joke around, laugh, perhaps give a hug, and say "See you around!" or "Have a good one!" I don't like saying anything that might infer that I'll never see someone again.

Now, I look forward to the summer... to finding a job, getting settled in, and having a little fun. I'm still going to be blogging here--I would really be disappointed in myself if I gave that up. I wish the rest of my graduating class the best of luck in whatever it is that they have planned for themselves. And I hope that my friends who are still attending SHU have a graduation as nice as the one I had.