Commencement- what a great word. We could just as easily call a college graduation a “Culmination” or a “Conclusion” but “Commencement” accentuates the sense of Something New or What’s Next. That’s what makes it such an exciting day – and for some people a rather scary day as well.
I have neither the time nor the stamina to compose some sort of polished narrative of this rich, full day. Some great moments. . .
***The Baccalaureate sermon was marvelous. Rev. Robert Wilch, a retired ELCA bishop delivered a message on that greatest love in which someone lays down their life for someone else- sometimes for a friend or loved one, but once in awhile even for a complete stranger. His sermon included the tremendously moving story of a young soldier who threw himself down on a grenade in order to save the lives of his comrades around him- comrades which he really didn’t know well at that point or call friends. At one point I realized that this gallant soldier was comparable age to the young men and women gathered in Siebert about to graduate. It was so chilling to think of that whole generation of young people whose lives were completely altered by a savage world war. As terrible as the current Iraqi conflict is, I am grateful that the young people I know and love are not engulfed by this war in the same way- although I have no doubt that they have within their souls the same kind of courage and good-heartedness. And as Reverend Wilch went on to explain, the shooting at Virginia Tech reminded all of us that it is not only in the midst of war or on a battlefield that we are called to lay down our lives for others. That gallant teacher who helped save the lives of his students and lost his own in the effort was every bit the same sort of hero, and in the shadow of that story we are compelled to ponder what we would do if confronted by a similar set of awful circumstances.
By the way, I felt so privileged to be sitting with Professor Emeritus Bill Roth, the former Carthage organist, who is also a veteran of the Second World War. He saw some horrible things in the Pacific theater and experienced firsthand the kind of sacrifices to which Reverend Wilch referred. And I felt so enormously grateful that my own life has been remarkably untouched by this kind of suffering even as I sat next to Professor Roth, pondering how vastly different our two lives have been. Isn’t that part of the wonder of the human experience? That there are such vastly different pathways which life can take. . .
***Commencement was great, wth a fine student speech and the screening of the student-produced video in which I appeared- along with two of my voice students, Trevor Parker and Anthony Gullo. There was also a neat moment in which an honorary doctorate was given to a Lutheran pastor who had been a chaplain during WWII and who actually prayed with the crews who delivered the bombs to Hiroshima and to Nagasaki. He had been proposed for an honorary doctorate in the late 60s and it was voted down- presumably because of the attitudes of the day. Forty years later, that snub was reversed – but unfortunately, Rev. William Downey is no longer alive and his widow had to accept the honor on his behalf. But it was a truly stunning moment- and I especially appreciated the moment when President Campbell strayed from the afternoon’s script and explained in some detail the story of Rev. Downey. You could hear a pin drop.
By the way, I ended up sitting next to fellow voice teacher Corinne Ness, which was fun!
***Mostly it was a day of smiles and celebrations and so many pictures! It’s a frustrating day in that there is essentially no time at all for in depth conversation- just lots of thank you’s / lots of I’ll miss you’s/ and a lot of time to just drink in the atmosphere of the place and the vibrancy of teaching at a college. I love it SO much and a day like this reminds me of why I love it so much. And it was especially fun to connect not only with the students with which I’m close- my own voice students, former Chamber Singers ,etc. – but to cross paths with students I’ve had in the classroom like Brett Barnes, a tremendously gifted athlete in multiple sports, with negligible musical background, who nonetheless managed to earn an A in my Exploring Music class. The fact that he remembers that class so fondly – and me – is enormously gratifying to me.
***The day’s festivities ended at The Corner House with Trevor’s family, who so generously included me in what was otherwise a gathering of family: Trevor, his folks, his sister, his four grandparents, plus Megan (his fiancee) and her folks. What an amazing family this is, awash in love- and it was such a privilege to be included in that sweet circle. (I only wish Kathy could have been there, but she was busy being stage manager for the RTG’s “Gypsy.”) I’ve been raving to Trevor about the prime rib at Corner House, and this was his introduction to it- and fortunately it seems like it lived up to its hype. But the deliciousness of Corner House Prime Rib paled into meaninglessness compared to the richness of the love around that table. If we had been eating hot dogs off of paper plates, it still would have been a glorious feast and the perfect end to a glorious day.
Pictured: Graduates of the class of 2007, just after receiving their diplomas. In the middle of the row, the aforementioned Brett Barnes. He may have been an All Conference football player, but I think the “A” he earned in Exploring Music may have in some ways been an even more impressive achievement.