destabee | In the history books (Reply)

The 39th commencement exercises for PNC (my first as a member of that faculty) are now in the history books. 596 degrees were awarded. About 1/3 of those degrees went to students who are first generation college students. About 20 of them went to the first students to receive master's degrees (MBAs) from PNC. I only knew one student who graduated due in large part to the fact that 7 of my 8 classes this year were introduction to sociology taken mostly by first year students.

I have to say that near 90 degree temps, several thousand people in a gym without air conditioning, and wearing academic regalia is not a pleasant way to spend 2.5 hours not matter how joyous the celebration. Still it was good to remember how day to day teaching fits into the bigger picture of life.