What a beautiful day! It was a sunny warm Saturday afternoon to have this year's graduation outside on the campus mall. I (Sal) can't remember the year when we last had it outside. We would have some wind at times, which I feel it was from God to keep all of outside be cool down at times. I got to the campus mall early because I've learned from previous graduation ceremonies that you need to get a good seat. I was able to get a spot behind the choir stands to preview the graduates fall on line when they get their diplomas.
I decided to walk around the whole mall to get a different view..
Above is a picture of the center walk-way where the graduates and faculty members walk down the aisle to their seats and stage/podium.
"The UMM Symphonic Winds, under the direction of Martin H. Seggelke, assistant professor of music, provided the pre-commencement concert, as well as music for the Commencement processional, the recessional and throughout the ceremony.
*most of their music pieces came from J.R.R. Tolkein's Lord of the Rings-cool, huh!
Below are pictures I took as they enter the mall in the beginning of the ceremony:
David O. standing tall as he walks by
Eric B. stops to pose before he continues to walk for the "big moment" he's been waiting for all these years!
Below are pictures from the other-side (along the Student Center):
Kathleen M. Rogers, UMM senior from Rochester, sung the national anthem. She performed at Common Cup the previous night, which she beautifully sung some cool inspirational songs (e.g. Amazing Grace and some favorites from Jenny Owens).
Senior Alyssa M. Herzog of Montgomery, Minnesota was the recipient of the Curtis H. Larson Award, so she spoke on behalf of the students. Her message was on "Journey" (inspired by 70's-80's band Journey).
Associate Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court and UMM alumna (picture) Lorie Gildea gave the graduation address. She shared on what the graduates already know. Some famous quotes she read were from the Old Testament ("don't put the light out"-Part I of the Bible) and another from Mark Twain. A line I like that she mentioned, was "Don't work for money, but for the enjoyment and benefit of others" (just a paraphrase).
"The Honor Song," in recognition of the campus' origin as an American Indian Boarding School and to pay tribute to the achievements of UMM's scholars, will be performed by Oyate Teca" (Pine Ridge Reservation, SD)
Break-time to chat with some folks:
Chris from Wheaton, MN came to cheer for Eric B.
Tim watching the action!
Chatting with the Juntin G. Fan Table at the reception
*Note: Finally got a bigger picture after finding a technical issues with my new camera phone-yeah
!
Related Links:
Understanding, magnanimity urged at UMM Commencement
Morris Sun Tribune
Published Wednesday, May 16, 2007
By Tom Larson
"The University of Minnesota, Morris graduated its 44th class on a bright and slightly breezy Saturday on the Campus Mall.
UMM’s fifth chancellor, Jacquie Johnson, presided over her first Commencement exercise.
Following performances by the UMM Symphonic Winds, the UMM Concert Choir, the Winds played the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1” for the processional of faculty and 313 students of the Class of 2007.
Johnson welcomed the gathering, and University of Minnesota Regent John Frobenius gave remarks.
Graduate Alyssa Herzog, the Curtis H. Larson Award recipient, spoke for the graduating class, talking about the journey they shared through clever references to lyrics from the rock band Journey.
Lorie Gildea, a 1983 UMM graduate and an Associate Justice on the Minnesota Supreme Court, delivered the Graduation Address.
Gildea called herself a “small-town girl with big dreams” when she left Thief River Falls to enroll at UMM. She urged the graduates to thank mothers, fathers and other family members who made their UMM experience possible.
Gildea made humorous reference to her current career, saying that the Minnesota Supreme Court was “proud to give you our unanimous congratulations.”
Gildea said she contemplated the various types of graduation speeches, but chose to eschew the agenda speeches, policy, or the “go forth and conquer” speeches typically heard at commencements.
Gildea focused instead on reminding the graduates of “things you might not realize but you already know”:
• Understanding -- UMM is small enough to allow students to try anything, but strong enough to provide the resources needed. In essence, UMM has broadened the graduates’ understanding, and now it was up to them to continue on, Gildea said.
“The candle has been lit,” she said.
• How to be magnanimous -- Gildea, quoting a definition of magnanimity, spoke of a “loftiness of spirit” that would allow the graduates to disdain meanness and appreciate an ability to handle troubles calmly.
• Remembering their time at UMM -- Gildea told the graduates that, “I wouldn’t have had the chance to stand where I am today if I didn’t have the chance to sit where you are now,” and that taking memories with them for the rest of their lives is important.
The diverse UMM faculty brings the world to the students, and now it is the graduates turn to bring the word of UMM to their corner of the world.
“You are ready to face the world because you have met the challenges of UMM,” Gildea said. “Everything you need to succeed has been given to you here.”
Following Gildea’s address, the Native American Honor Song was performed, dedicated to the graduates, and degrees were conferred.
The graduates received a welcome from 1992 UMM graduate Juli Wagner, president of the UMM Alumni Association, and the Winds played “Symphony No. 1 - The Lord of the Rings” for the Recessional following closing remarks by Johnson.
For more photographs of UMM’s Commencement, see the Sun Tribune Web site and check out the Photo Gallery section and the MyCapture section."
Thank you for visiting my page at Angelfire. Please come back and visit again!
