Wednesday, June 03, 2009 at 10:54 PM
My classmates' Commencement
It has been more than three weeks since some of my classmates graduated from Iowa State University. It was May 9, 2009! We came to study at Iowa State University in the summer of 2007. During the last two years, we had experienced pain, we had homesickness at the beginning, we had tears, we had encouragement, we found happiness, we made friendships with our American friends. Time flies and you cannot believe that seven of us graduated, what a cheerful moment.
In the morning of May 9, 2009, students and professors were all gathered together at Theater Hall. I remember that morning, we got arrived at there at 9:00 pm. and a great breakfast was neatly provided. All graduate students were invited to sit on the stage After talking and having breakfast. There were more than eighty graduates from our department. Since most of the people sitting on the stage were from our Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering Department, and we may know each other well. At first, our professors gave an opening and then these students were asked to give a short speech individually. They came in to the stage so emotional, some were telling stories and jokes. Some were showing how they felt thanks to our advisor, professors and staff. Most kids’ family and relatives came to support them. It would be a sweet moment for all I guess! We laughed, we were moved, and full of appreciation at this special morning.
In the afternoon, we had school’s formal graduation ceremony held in Iowa Center, Scheman Building. The school band was playing very peaceful music. When you heard the music, it made you feel the rituals and ceremonies are really good to help define a culture. It makes people feel so proud of being a student of here! The president of ISU was holding the whole ceremony; there were also a lot of department chairs sitting on the stage. All graduating people were wearing academic robes, in fact they look really good. I was in charge of taking pictures for my friends, but I even could not look them. Thousands of people from design, agricultural, business and other departments were coming up in order. I think I could say it was very “Spectacular”! The most impressive part was that each person came up to the stage and they were awarded the degree by the president. Their names were broadcast on the speaker and they got chance to wave to their families. The ceremony lasted about three hours.
The graduation day was really important to the students; thousands of powerful Iowa State graduates will go towards to their future more confidently. I am waiting for the day I graduate and hope my parents can come to attend from China if it is possible.
