A beautiful day in the Forest of Wake
Having only been at Wake Forest for three Commencement ceremonies, I’m not as much of an authority as others - but this is one of the best ones most folks can remember. It was, as always, a beautiful North Carolina day; a gentle breeze, not a cloud in the sky, and warm sun streaming through the trees. And there was even a kitten…
I was stationed at the right of Wait Chapel where the buses dropped off students and families. Around 8:15 a.m., a big pink bow bobbed up the steps, attached to a beautiful little girl. She and her sister walked over to me, proudly toting a small blue pop-up carrier. I peeked inside, halway expecting to see a stuffed animal, but instead saw a tiny tiger-striped kitten perched on a fuzzy cat bed. Although we have a policy of not allowing pets, there wasn’t a person there who could’ve said no to these little girls; she probably could’ve put a wolverine in the carrier and I would’ve caved. As it turned out, their family was staying at a nearby hotel last night and this kitten was abandoned in the parking lot. They decided to give it a good home, and went to the pet store to get food and other supplies. Since they had to check out of their hotel this morning, there was nothing to do but bring the kitten along! I hope perhaps they’ll name it “Deacon.”
Once all the graduates and their families were settled in, I walked back to Reynolda Hall to watch the ceremony. Many students walked across the stage today into the open arms of two families - their own and Wake Forest’s. I was particularly delighted to see James “Scooter” Scott, who has meant so much to all of us, Carolyn Harbaugh, who has lent to us her time and delightful smile for our All Access tour, and a handful of Chi Omegas who I’ve had the pleasure of advising since I met them as freshmen. We were pleased to welcome Terri Engle and her son Zach both into the Wake Forest family today. She earned an MDiv and he graduated with a degree in biochemistry. I’d met her at the Bowl game last year and she’d shared their story with me; they’re a remarkable team. You can read more about them here: http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2008/may/18/make-that-a-double/http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2008/may/18/make-that-a-double/
When it was over, Karver Bolton and I directed students to the Green and Magnolia Rooms to pick up diplomas and then it was off to Putters for a much-needed plate of buffalo chicken fingers. The wait was long, but the food was great - many families chose to celebrate there, and it was heartwarming to see them spending time together before life settles back to normal.
I can’t help but recall my own graduation, (not from Wake Forest, I must sheepishly confess), which was pretty unremarkable. I mostly remember expecting an Earth-shattering Commencement address, only to be disappointed by a woman who, and I am not making this up, recited the lyrics to “I Hope You Dance.”
I also remember feeling overwhelmed about what the next few months would bring - job searches, moving out on my own, making new friends and finding my way in the “real world.” As the line of students passed me today on their way to pick up diplomas, I couldn’t help but notice how calm and focused they looked. Certainly they all face the same concerns I had - but they do it with a confidence I’d not yet found at that age. They go forth with the faith and support of committed professors, caring staff and engaged alumni, all of whom have genuinely invested in them; that’s the spark of Wake Forest.
I wish these students the best as they make their way into this next phase of their lives. I hope they find a mentor wherever they go, as I know mine was a saving grace. I hope they know just how beer they’ll buy for FICA every month, the importance of good health insurance and investing early and often in their 401K, the difference great coworkers can make and the satisfaction that comes from doing your best, even when half the effort would have been enough to get by. Most of all, I hope they will always remember this day, this place and these people. And I hope they’ll come back often.