MetaFilter posts tagged with graduation

Dummm ... da da dum daaaa dum .... dummm ... da da da dummm

l33tpolicywonk — Sat, 16 May 2009 19:57:07 -0800

Originally a coronation ode for Edward VIII, both sides of the Atlantic can't seem to get enough Pomp and Circumstance each May. Shakespeare's Othello, at the first sign of his wife's infidelity, forsakes his life's meaning and work with the words "Farewell the neighing steed, and the shrill trump / The spirit-stirring drum, the ear-piercing fife The royal banner, and all quality / Pride, pomp and circumstance of glorious war!" The line's namesake orchestral piece is by British composer Edward Elgar; its first march (known by its more jingoistic title "Land of Hope and Glory") has become the default processional at American graduations, known for their complex emotional payload. From the Elgar Society's Why Americans Graduate to Elgar:

The reason for the popularity of the march has to do with Elgar's ability to invent melodies that convey a complex of emotions. The tune manages to sound triumphant, but with an underlying quality of nostalgia, making it perfectly suited to a commencement that marks the beginning of one stage of life, but the end of another.

Body of Work

inconsequentialist — Thu, 14 May 2009 03:18:32 -0800

Tonight in Tempe, a forgiving, but not quite forgetful, President Obama gave the commencement address at Arizona State University. A little over a month ago, President Obama was invited by Arizona State University to speak at their spring graduation ceremony. As previously discussed here on MeFi, the honor of the invitation was overshadowed by the school's refusal to signal its appreciation of the President's successes by granting him an honorary degree. After more than a few public complaints about this decision, Michael Crow, president of ASU, offered an apology for any offense and made assurances that the President would be duly recognized by the university. ASU's acknowledgment of Obama ultimately took the form of a scholarship program bearing his name. ASU spokeswoman, Sharon Keeler, supplied the university's official justification for denying Obama the degree, explaining that, “the University awards honorary degrees to recognize individuals for their work and accomplishments spanning their lifetime... Because President Obama’s body of work is yet to come, it’s inappropriate to recognize him at this time.” President Obama responded to this characterization of his achievements by making it the driving theme of his message to the ASU graduates. "...it may be tempting to fall back on the formulas for success that have dominated these recent years. Many of you have been taught to chase after the usual brass rings: being on this "who's who" list or that top 100 list; how much money you make and how big your corner office is; whether you have a fancy enough title or a nice enough car. You can take that road - and it may work for some of you. But at this difficult time, let me suggest that such an approach won't get you where you want to go; that in fact, the elevation of appearance over substance, celebrity over character, short-term gain over lasting achievement is precisely what your generation needs to help end. I want to highlight two main problems with that old approach. First, it distracts you from what is truly important, and may lead you to compromise your values, principles and commitments. Think about it. It's in chasing titles and status - in worrying about the next election rather than the national interest and the interests of those they represent - that politicians so often lose their way in Washington. It was in pursuit of gaudy short-term profits, and the bonuses that come with them, that so many folks lost their way on Wall Street....you can make your mark in smaller, more individual ways. That's what so many of you have already done during your time here at ASU - tutoring children; registering voters; doing your own small part to fight hunger and homelessness, AIDS and cancer. I think one student said it best when she spoke about her senior engineering project building medical devices for people with disabilities in a village in Africa. Her professor showed a video of the folks they'd be helping, and she said, "When we saw the people on the videos, we began to feel a connection to them. It made us want to be successful for them... The second problem with the old approach is that a relentless focus on the outward markers of success all too often leads to complacency. We too often let them serve as indications that we're doing well, even though something inside us tells us that we're not doing our best; that we are shrinking from, rather than rising to, the challenges of the age. And the thing is, in this new, hyper-competitive age, you cannot afford to be complacent. That is true in whatever profession you choose. Professors might earn the distinction of tenure, but that doesn't guarantee that they'll keep putting in the long hours and late nights - and have the passion and drive - to be great educators. It's true in your personal life as well. Being a parent isn't just a matter of paying the bills and doing the bare minimum - it's not bringing a child into the world that matters, but the acts of love and sacrifice it takes to raise that child. It can happen to presidents too: Abraham Lincoln and Millard Fillmore had the very same title, but their tenure in office - and their legacy - could not be more different. And that's not just true for individuals - it is also true for this nation. In recent years, in many ways, we've become enamored with our own success - lulled into complacency by our own achievements... ...you can make your mark in smaller, more individual ways.... I think one student said it best when she spoke about her senior engineering project building medical devices for people with disabilities in a village in Africa. Her professor showed a video of the folks they'd be helping, and she said, "When we saw the people on the videos, we began to feel a connection to them. It made us want to be successful for them. That's a good motto for all of us - find someone to be successful for. Rise to their hopes and their needs. As you think about life after graduation, as you look in the mirror tonight, you may see somebody with no idea what to do with their life. But a troubled child might look at you and see a mentor. A homebound senior citizen might see a lifeline. The folks at your local homeless shelter might see a friend. None of them care how much money is in your bank account, or whether you're important at work, or famous around town - they just know that you're someone who cares, someone who makes a difference in their lives. That is what building a body of work is all about - it's about the daily labor, the many individual acts, the choices large and small that add up to a lasting legacy. It's about not being satisfied with the latest achievement, the latest gold star - because one thing I know about a body of work is that it's never finished. It's cumulative; it deepens and expands with each day that you give your best, and give back, and contribute to the life of this nation. You may have set-backs, and you may have failures, but you're not done - not by a longshot." Extra Credit: Unlike the unruly crowd Press Secretary Robert Gibbs faced earlier in the afternoon, Obama was not once interrupted by the ring of a disrespectful audience member's cell phone.

You Cheer, You Lose Your Diploma

ThePinkSuperhero — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 08:16:35 -0800

5 students were barred from receiving copies of their diplomas (NYTimes Link) at the Galesburg High School graduation, after friends and family members cheered when their names were read. Good luck to future graduates to keep Nana and Aunt Bertha in check.

Speaking Truth to Power: When Power Speaks Back

scalefree — Mon, 22 May 2006 06:38:18 -0800

Speaking truth to power: when power speaks back (scroll down). Graduating senior Jean Rohe & Senator John McCain spoke at the New School's graduation ceremony at Madison Square Garden this Saturday. Rohe's speech attacking McCain's actions & positions has been hailed by many on the Left as "speaking truth to power". McCain staffer Mark Salter thinks Jean isn't being fair to his boss. Scroll down to read his reaction.

New Orleans Commencement Speech

ColdChef — Mon, 15 May 2006 20:08:15 -0800

"The water, it came to your school. The gasoline, chemicals, sewage and blood came to your doorstep. It settled into the ground of this courtyard where we now gather." Chris Rose's commencement speech at Ursuline Academy in New Orleans.

13-year-old graduates college, Doogie Howser weeps

LexRockhard — Sun, 01 Jun 2003 15:46:54 -0800

13-year-old Gregory Robert Smith graduates from Randolph-Macon College this month. He has yet to find the vaccine for the brutal Atomic Wedgie.

Graduation

Oriole Adams — Mon, 19 May 2003 14:05:58 -0800

"You look like a pimp," said the principal of a Chattanooga school to a student who wore a suit to graduation. Girls in gowns were also forbidden to walk across the stage to get their diplomas. Other than wearing, say, a chicken suit or something, can one be too dressed up for graduation?

William Knustler graduation speech

thedailygrowl — Wed, 07 May 2003 22:27:39 -0800

William Kunstler's May 13, 1995 graduation speech to the University at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning. "Every generation has its time to struggle," Kunstler told those 1995 architecture graduates. "There are no green pastures."

dnash — Fri, 14 Jun 2002 18:03:04 -0800

Cheer for Bush, or face arrest, OSU grads informed. A first person account of how Bush's speech at the Ohio State Graduation today resembled nothing so much as a fascist rally - as graduates who had planned to protest by simply turning their backs to Bush during his speech were informed that if they did so they would be arrested and expelled (no diploma). Inside the stadium, crowds of Bush suppporters had been bussed in from miles away. And everyone was instructed to cheer loudly for the president.

luser — Wed, 29 May 2002 11:53:20 -0800

Paralyzed H.S. senior works for two years to achieve dream of walking across commencement stage to take her diploma. At the last minute, principal makes her use her wheelchair, citing liability concerns. Lawyers have us all running scared, so sad. (via Romensko)

taumeson — Mon, 17 Dec 2001 07:47:39 -0800

Commencement speech about civil liberties drowned out by hecklers. When the publisher of the Sacremento Bee's speech moved to topics regarding racial profiling, liberty, and the war on terrorism's effect on each, the friends and family of the students started stomping and clapping and making a nuisance, so much so that she couldn't continue. The speech, in its entirety, will be posted soon. via Drudge

fil! — Thu, 31 May 2001 18:18:58 -0800

Conan O'Brien's 2000 Harvard Commencement Speech Conan wrote what is probably the funniest speech I have ever read, enjoy.

msacheson — Mon, 21 May 2001 09:50:02 -0800

The feel good story of the day. Cupcake Brown, a former prostitute and drug addict who nearly died alone on the streets, knew she would cry yesterday when she graduated from the University of San Francisco law school near the top of her class. She wasn't alone.