Graduation and 1 Month Left!

May 7, 2010 at 10:06 am | Posted in Predeparture | 2 Comments

So last Saturday was my graduation from undergrad.  I’m now officially an engineer.  It was a long weekend, but so memorable.  First, was the chemical engineering banquet.  It was neat to hear all the great things my classmates did over four years and what they are headed off to.

Saturday was the big day.  I got up at 530 am with some of my house-mates so we could secure good seats in the Big House to see the president speak.  It started pouring rain at 630 with some extra lightning thrown in just to scare us.  About 730, they gave us the signal that we could leave the tent and head over to security.  Everybody running across the muddy athletic field was crazy, but glad to say we made it.  Row 5 on the 50 yard line.

While everybody was getting onto stage (at 11), they played clips of the previous presidents who had spoken at the University of Michigan.  The first clip they played was Kennedy challenging the students at the University at 2 am to give their service for a few years.  This speech is cited as the first proposal of the Peace Corps.  Very cool.

Our school president, Mary Sue Coleman, mentioned the Peace Corps once, and Obama mentioned it twice.  It was really, really thrilling.  How often is the leader of the free world, president of the United States, and your future boss your graduation speaker!

After the main graduation, I ran home to get lunch and was met with one of my house-mates, Rachel, and her family.  Happy Derby Day!  :)

The engineering graduation was next.  It was nice that they read off all of the graduates names rapid-fire as we walked across the stage, but I was worn out at that point.

And then, BAM.  College graduate.  For real.  No more books from the school library.  No more discounts at the movies.

Now, a week later, I’m a full time cleaner, packer, and fisher.  I have one month left without a whole lot to do, but sometimes it feels like it’s an overwhelming amount.  For now, I’ll slowly hide the trappings of college and go after that one last bass.  I’ll leave you with some photos.

For today, goodbye. For tomorrow, good luck. And forever, Go Blue! ~Mary Sue Coleman

Cheers!

Me on the field in front of the podium

Our favorite bar, Charley's

Plaque commemorating the founding of the Peace Corps

JFK stood RIGHT HERE when he proposed the Peace Corps at 2am