Graduation, Santa Clara University

Last week, we made our last trip to Santa Clara University for Derek’s graduation. It took me 4 years to figure out the roads and now we are done.

There were a few department functions leading up to the graduation ceremony on Saturday.

Thursday night, the Theater Department took their grads out to dinner. Derek was given a double award. One for academics. The other for Artistic Achievement.

Friday, the English Department hosted a lunch event on the lawn where we all toasted the new grads with champagne.

Friday night was the most humbling event I have ever attended. The induction ceremonies for Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest honor society in the country. The society invites students based on academic and social justice excellence. All students had double and triple majors plus performed some level of research. Many were working with under privileged community in other countries. Their accomplishments were staggering.

There was a reception after the induction ceremonies. We fear our attendance brought down the average IQ in the room.

Graduation ceremonies on Saturday were at 8:30am to avoid the heat. Since there was no reserve seating, Nancy, Bob, and I got up early so we could be in line by 7am.

The gates opened at 7:15am. The crowd awaiting the opening of the gates reminded me of a morning at Disneyland, everyone strategizing where they were going first. Our strategy paid off when I was able to grab 8 seats with an unobstructed view of the graduates and the big screen.

After all the graduates filled the seats, we realized Derek was only a few seats away.

The ceremonies were really nice. More enjoyable than I thought they would be. The commence address was given by Martin Sheen. Didn’t know he was a Jesuit.

After the ceremonies, we hooked up for pictures and a family luncheon at our hotel.

Derek wore 4 sets of cords. One for graduating with a 3.9+ GPA, Summa Cum Laude. One for graduating the SCU Honors Program. The remaining two were for the English and Theater National Honor Societies.

Derek is headed home June 23rd. Very sad to be leaving some incredible friendships. He is off to Florida State University in early August to start a 3-year Masters of Fine Arts program in Acting.

The Florida State program is taught out of Sarasota. He is one of 12 incoming first year masters students. He is on a full ride scholarship which includes a living stipend and subsidized health care.

His first year is packed with classes and no performances just understudy roles. Year two includes 2 months in London. Year three includes performances with the Sarasota Theater Company as well as national performances for professional theater companies.

Definitely more to come…