Commencement 2010

It's rainy and cold as I write this, but I don't care....on Sunday, it was gorgeous, perfect weather for La Salle's commencement exercises. And never underestimate how important good weather is for that day.

The last person to walk across the stage and receive his diploma from Br. Michael was Bill Deputy, who's 81. Long story short: Bill went to night school at La Salle in the 1950s, but his job and family came first, so Bill stoped his education; he had enough credits for a junior. 50 years later on a trip to Ireland he met two La Salle grads; he told them his story, they told the university and asked if anything could be done; La Salle said he has enough credits for an Associate's Degree. It was a big thrill for Bill and his family. As he walked across the stage, hundreds of folks cheered him. Michael Klein of the Inqurier ran a story and photo of him (and his wife), and a few tv stations showed up to speak with him.

The Lindback recipient for distinguished teaching was Jim Smither of the management department. Jim has won several other awards from La Salle, so I assumed he'd already won this one, but he's a very deserving candidate.

After commencement I ask several grads to come by the center of campus for some additonal photos that I try to get published; in addition to Bill Deputy the photos we took featured:

a husband-wife who were named the top students in their graduate programs, twin brother and sister who chose La Salle independent of each other; Tori Grise, who had three tv station internships while attending classes full-time, and Mareeda Perry and her family; Mareeda was the subject of a Phila. Daily News story a few days prior to commencement (she told me she got plenty of text messages and emails and calls about it).

After the ceremony I spied a man in a cap and gown who at first I thought was Bill Deputy; turns out it was Bill Francour, who's 65 and received his MBA, something he said he always wanted to do.

During the ceremony I always look for clever or funny or interesting messages students write on their graduation hats. My favorite was two guys who put "Go Flyers" and the Flyers insignia on their caps. Now I have to get those pics and send them to their hometown papers. A few others included "I Love You Mom and Dad," "I Did It" and "Amber the Bear" (it was a student's nickname).