Another Graduation in My Family

Yesterday, my family and I spent much of the day in Valparaiso, Indiana, to celebrate my younger brother, Paul’s, graduation from Valparaiso University. He is receiving a Bachelor of Science, cum laude, with a major in meteorology and minors in math and Spanish, and is also being made a Christ College Associate (Christ College is the Honors College of Valparaiso University).

Conferring of Degrees, Athletic-Recreation Center arena, Valparaiso University

We attended two events yesterday. First was a lunch reception hosted by the meteorology department. It was a quiet affair compared to some of the other receptions, as there were only a dozen seniors in that department. After some free time for pictures, we joined the crowds walking toward the arena in the Athletic-Recreation Center for the Conferring of Degrees.

The commencement address was delivered by Dr. John A. Nunes, the president and CEO of Lutheran World Relief. His brief message challenged the graduates to see “people as people” regardless of any distinguishing characteristics or status, in contrast to many of the generations before them.

The ceremony was lengthy, as there were some 700 degree candidates to recognize (both graduate and undergraduate degrees were awarded during the exercises). However, the setting was such that one could get up to stretch one’s legs if desired during the conferring of degrees themselves. I really liked that they had the University’s Chamber Concert Band provide the live music.

It was an exciting day of celebrating the Valparaiso University Class of 2013, and my favorite member of it.

From left: me, Paul, Mom, and Dad