Post by DFW HOYA on May 2, 2004 16:43:35 GMT -5
15,000? Pardon my French, but that's a University crock.
My class (1984) graduated on Healy Lawn. It can be done and it was for decades. You could also put it in the Multi-Sport or even a renovated McDonough (that's another topic), but the class should graduate as they arrived...together.
Quick story: the 1983 ceremony was rained out and schools graduated separately, to some consternation, in a non-air conditioned McDonough Gym. As the Class of 1984 marched in and were seated, a light rain started, and the people on the stage made a move for the Healy portico, sensing everyone would get up and move to McDonough. Someone behind us yelled: "No! We're staying right here!" and everyone did. (Parents too.)
The rain lasted all of about 45 seconds, the Jesuits returned to the podium (to applause), and the ceremony continued. We wouldn't have had it any other way.
Today's students are far too accomodating of buying into the University PR line that separate ceremonies are essential, which ignores the fact that commencements were held on the Lawn for decades, no matter the speaker. Ironically, when GU canned the unified commencement in 1987, they cited the opportunity to get "bigger-name" speakers to come to smaller groups. Obviously, that was a lot of hot air, too.
My class (1984) graduated on Healy Lawn. It can be done and it was for decades. You could also put it in the Multi-Sport or even a renovated McDonough (that's another topic), but the class should graduate as they arrived...together.
Quick story: the 1983 ceremony was rained out and schools graduated separately, to some consternation, in a non-air conditioned McDonough Gym. As the Class of 1984 marched in and were seated, a light rain started, and the people on the stage made a move for the Healy portico, sensing everyone would get up and move to McDonough. Someone behind us yelled: "No! We're staying right here!" and everyone did. (Parents too.)
The rain lasted all of about 45 seconds, the Jesuits returned to the podium (to applause), and the ceremony continued. We wouldn't have had it any other way.
Today's students are far too accomodating of buying into the University PR line that separate ceremonies are essential, which ignores the fact that commencements were held on the Lawn for decades, no matter the speaker. Ironically, when GU canned the unified commencement in 1987, they cited the opportunity to get "bigger-name" speakers to come to smaller groups. Obviously, that was a lot of hot air, too.
