The BIG event

 Granddaughter Audrey graduated from Ohio State University Sunday. The hugest football stadium I’ve ever been in! 

Here all the grads march in four abreast, on both sides of the field, to fill all those empty bleachers. And you might note I’m sitting in the highest tier of the stadium!

Though rain had been forecast it was mostly cloudy till maybe the last hour when hot sun blessed us all with sunburns! (Except the kids in caps and gowns of course.)

My son and his wife were proud parents os their first born going through this life ritual. Here his youngest is sitting with him and other family members too! There were 7 of us sitting in the stands for a ceremony that was not entirely clear to us, though there was a program given to all of us who wanted it. The long procession of 12,000 or so students was orchestrated well, but of course took time. We counted at least 5 times listening to the whole of “Pomp and Circumstance.” The ceremony started at 12:00 sharp,  and we left before all the undergraduates picked up their diplomas. The only ones who got to cross the stage and have their name called out were doctoral candidates.  Honors were given to various people on the stage who we knew nothing about. Undergraduates got their diplomas last of course, but we started our departure about then.

Diplomas were stored in those red and grey tables with black covers on the majority of the field, (see first photo.) Apparently the deans of each college and assistants were going to hand each person in alphabetical order their diploma. We knew we wouldn’t be able to see Audrey.

The speaker was Chris Pan, with a rather up beat and youthful message, including his demonstration with the University President of bit-coin which was boo-ed by students…and some deep breathing, 1, 2, 3, 4,  hold 1, 2 3, 4…and even some dancing. He offered little  simple bracelets free to all students by contacting his own email. My sons said it was just a gimmick to get more  customers for his own business. 

Incidentally those were the only empty seats (the student section) in the stadium…since everywhere else was family and friends or grads.

Some family friends were sitting close enough to get this photo of Audrey as she walked in waving. 

My selfie with Russ.

Another proud mother moment with son Marty!

Kate is closest, then her mom, Michelle, then Michelle’s mom Joanne, and Joanne’s husband, Gerry in the white hat.

After our 3 hours sitting, stretching and sitting, we ventured back down. Marty and I went looking for the elevators but the line was incredibly long. So I slowly descended 8 stories of stairs. I was so grateful for railings on all the stairs throughout. Somehow there were no ramps at that particular area. Then walk to parking lot.

But our adult children helped Joanne and myself to obtain rides on little bicycle driven rickshaws both ways, at least some of the half mile or more to the parking lot. Did I mention it was hot and sunny by then!

We heard from my son’s middle daughter who had been protesting at George Washington University (in DC) in hopes of a ceasefire in Gaza and to divest to investments in Israel- that she was in her dorm studying for finals.

No interruptions during our event, though the University of Michigan had a short demonstration during its commencement event the day before.

After we got to our next destination we were treated to Cinco de Mayo goodies…more to follow!

Today’s quote:

Protesting is an act of love. It is born of a deeply held conviction that the world can be a better, kinder place. Saying "no" to injustice is the ultimate declaration of hope. -Amy Goodman, investigative journalist, columnist, and author (b. 13 Apr 1957)