My Graduate Career
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
May 12 Saturday Sunny
Commencement is one of the best moments in anyone’s life. Mine is not exceptional. Assembly Hall was full of families and friends, who showed up for their children and pals. None of them were for me there. When the music was on, I walked into the auditorium with my cap and gown on, I felt proud of myself immediately. I didn’t get the best seat. Instead, I got an end seat. I felt excitement in the air—music and caps indicating different styles from a variety of schools; a young boy in a green T-shirt cheered his girlfriend; graduates smiled, talked, and hugged… I told myself: “That’s it! That’s what I have waited for so many years.”
Smiley’s speech was inspiring.[1] I liked the way he talked and his presentation of “success” and “greatness.”
Briany hooded me, after I walked through the stage, and shook the current and future IU Presidents’ hands. Briany said: “I am not very good at this. Turn around.” I turned my back to him, and he quickly hooded me. Symbolically, I was a Ph.D., entitled by Briany. I hugged him in front of everybody! That was a warm hug, and I could feel his strength as a man.
Many impressive and non-impressive episodes occurred during the commencement. First, Briany had an attractive voice, when he sang. Because I am a foreigner, I skipped the process of singing American National Song. So, I got a chance to hear him singing. He did have a good voice to capture all tones. Maybe I exaggerated a little bit, since everyone is supposed to perfectly sing the national song. Second, all advisors of graduates in IU sociology showed up for their students. I was impressed, because I heard that Wen’s advisor asked a colleague to hood her. Professors seemed to care about their students more than I thought. Even Art, as the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), showed up for us. I didn’t expect that DGS would do that. I thought that we were just slaves of professors. Maybe professors occasionally had some soft parts in their hearts. Third, I found that the commencement in 2007 had high technology. When I attended the commencement in 2001 for my master’s degree, graduates were just excited. This time, they tried to convey their excitement through cell phones. Everybody talked, waved their hands, and searched where their relatives were seated. It became a modern commencement, even if we were in traditional gowns. Fourth, Katie flew to Bloomington for Sigrun’s graduation. How wonderful it was to have someone attend her graduation! Since I know Katie pretty well, I consider her presence to be part of my graduation too. Last, the only regret that I had was encountering an Indian man who behaved like an asshole. He knocked off my cap on purpose, then, apologized immediately. Symbolically, I felt that I lost my degree at the moment. I couldn’t believe that it was a Ph.D.’s behavior. I decided to blame Indian men from then on, whenever I had difficulties, before I got my diploma.
