Monday, May 14, 2018

Diploma Ceremony at Duquesne University #MasterOfScienceInLeadership

When my husband finished  college in 2012 at Robert Morris University, he did not attend the  graduation ceremony.  I  asked him to attend but he didn't want to.  I would have loved it if he did because he graduated Magna Cumlaude.  I urged him to  attend this time in finishing his master's degree because it would be nice for the kids to  witness their Dad graduate even at an older age.
The Duquesne University McAnnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts had their Diploma Ceremony last Friday, May 11th. As we entered the gymnasium, one  older gentleman congratulated my husband and he looked at us and congratulated us as well, I thought that was sweet and thoughtful.
My husband did not attend the  kickoff to graduation  so he relied on the information available online on where to  order his graduation gown and cap.  During the preparation at the back of the gym, an older lady who was administering all the graduates, she told my husband that he got a wrong color of hood.  He told her that  he just followed the school's instruction online.  He said he saw one older woman who have the same  hood as his so he talked to her and asked if she did the online thing as well and she confirmed it.
So there's two of them that  falls in the crack of ordering the wrong hood.  Oh well, as the woman have said, she doesn't really care, she is just glad it is over and now graduating.  That's what matters anyway but being a former military  man, it kills my husband when he is doing a mistake.
He told me  that listening to the young graduates talk, it makes him feel old and  experienced lol.
There are some who finished  master's degree at such a young age, I thought "Wow, they must have continue going to school after graduating college."  I have the same experienced, I continued my masters right after graduating college but the only difference is that, I  had my undergrad degree at an older age.  I  worked right  after graduating high school for years so I did not really go to college till later when I saved up some money.
What's inspiring to me  was seeing someone in the wheelchair attend the graduation.  I think that is so inspiring that she did not let her situation get in the way of  pursuing her education. 
Anyway, these photos were all taken by my daughter as I was  recording a video while  they were marching.
My husband told me that after taking his last final test, he was so relieved.  All the weights have finally dropped off from his shoulders.  I understand  how he feels.  When I went to graduate school, writing a thesis/book was  one of the requirements to graduate.  It involves a lot of researching, interviewing, gathering of data, and all that stuff, it was tough.  It took time and money to finish it but  when you  graduate, it is all worth it.
Now that he has his degree, he can actually pursue a managerial position which I doubt he would.  He is happy of what he does for now.  His degree helped him  get a raise from his job though so that's a good thing.
While, we were leaving the campus and dealing with the heavy traffic, my daughter thinks she can see herself going to this school for  college.  I was thinking that attending my husband's graduation would inspire them.
Time flies, our daughter  will be graduation from elementary  next school year so I am glad that my husband  is finished with his because our daughter's highschool tuition would be  expensive.  During the open house that we attended where is wants to go, the tuition is $5k+ and it increases every year so that would be something we have to continue saving up for.  The good thing though is that, now with the current administration, the rule about the  529 savings have changed.  We can use it  for highschool expenses instead of waiting for college so we might do that.  Glad we have started saving up  for their school ever since they were born.

Good luck and congratulations to all the graduates!   
 

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