Stylish
May 10, 2025
Graduation
Yesterday marked commencement ceremonies for students at Slippery Rock University as students received their undergraduate and graduate degrees. Graduation marks the end of one person’s time in an institute of higher learning, but it also marks the beginning of a new adventure. For me, that’s how I felt when I graduated high school and began college later that Summer.
Some key takeaways from graduations that I attended or took part in included:
- My high school graduation when it had rained the night before and it was chilly the night we walked. Hard to believe that’s going to be 25 years ago very, very soon.
- Memorable keynote speakers, including Auntie Anne who spoke at my college graduation in 2005. Her nephew was graduating that day as well and we were both part of the school’s Campus Crusade for Christ chapter.
- Going all out to buy a graduation gift for a girl that I liked. She graduated in the Spring of 2004 and I attended her commencement that May.
I loved hearing the Slippery Rock alma mater at the ceremonies I attended, the most recent being Rocco receiving his graduate degree in the Spring of 2009. He now works for the university in the Bailey Library and is doing well for himself.
Slippery Rock Alma Mater
WHERE THE SLIPPERY ROCK CREEK WANDERS
WITH ITS SPARKLING FALLS
THERE IN STATELY GRACE AND BEAUTY
STANDS OLD S.R. HALLS
(CHORUS)
SING HER PRAISES LOUD RESOUNDING
SPEED THEM ON THEIR WAY
WE’LL BE TRUE TO THEE, OH, S.R.
TRUE FOR AYE AND AYE.
II.
ALL THY HALLS THE DAY IN DYING
CROWN WITH GOLDEN LIGHT
AND THE MORN IN WAKING SPLENDOR
GREETS THEE IN THY MIGHT
III.
LONG MAY YOU, OUR ALMA MATER
SHED YOUR LIGHT ABROAD
AS YOUR LOYAL SONS AND DAUGHTERS
LIVE FOR YOU AND GOD.
One thing that I never did at graduation that most people do now is write on my mortarboard. It was never a thing when I finished high school in 2000 or college in 2005. If it was, what would I put on mine? Maybe “Once In a Lifetime” since my graduation year was at the turn of the century, or “I Hope You Dance” which was a popular song on radio stations during my graduation year. Which leads me to my next topic, and that’s graduation songs.
Ours when we graduated high school was “I Will Remember You” by Sarah McLachlan. This was the song that played just after the Columbine High School shooting and I don’t think it was one of the best choices. “Graduation (Friends Forever)” was in my opinion a far better choice, but I digress. Even “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack was also one that could have been used in the early 2000’s.
Finally, here’s a quote appropriate for graduation from Dr. Seuss’ “Oh The Places You’ll Go!”Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away!
Stylish 🍒 