An Adventure Out West - Part 3: Graduation Day

Friday, 2 May was graduation day for Peter who was getting his bachelors degree in Economics and Psychology.  We had to get him on campus by 0830 for the (new) traditional processional under the clock tower to the Centrum (Colosseum). (The tradition is that new freshmen walk under the tower from west to east when they start at Southern Utah University (SUU) then avoid walking under the tower until they graduate - this time walking east to west.) After dropping off Peter, we went to Uncle Brent's house to pick up dad. He had his handicapped parking tag, so we didn't have problem getting a place to park. He went on in to find a seat while we waited for the processional. Led by the faculty and drums and bagpipes, the graduates walked down, by school, to the Centrum.

Faculty lines the walkway while pipes and drums play in background

Peter in processional

Peter, and his brother Paul (who was getting his masters degree in accounting) both participated. After they went by we all went into the Centrum Special Events Center for commencement. Ann Romney gave the commencement address. She gave a good speech  and made eight points:  "1) Your friends at Southern Utah University will last a lifetime; 2) If you want to get ahead, if you want to achieve success, do someone a favor; 3) Do your present job well; 4) Parenting is probably the most important thing you'll do in life and the hardest; 5) Don't judge other people, and don't judge yourself as the only one passing through problems; 6) Live a purpose driven life; 7) Do something you love every day; 8) The Bible works, so do what it says." (from SUU website)

Ann Romney
Photo from http://suualumni.blogspot.com/2014/05/commencement-2014.html

After commencement, we all went over to this mom-and-pop restaurant that PB&J (Peter Brunett and Jessi for the uninitiated!) found last semester called the All American Classic Diner. Food was great and portions ridiculously huge!

After lunch, we took dad back to Brent's house. At 1430 we were back at the Centrum for the School of Business Convocation, where both Peter and Paul walked to get their diploma (holders.) Real diplomas are actually mailed later. Jessi used all the good pictures of Convocation, so see them at Jessi's blog. Afterwards we went to the rotunda in the student center, then outside for pictures. Here are a couple that I took in addition to Jessi's. (Some are a little fuzzy.)

Jessi and Kira at convocation

Kira and Jessi in rotundra

Taking traditional pictures

The Diploma (holder)

Afterwards, we went to PB&J's apartment where Peter opened his graduation gifts. His big gift from Jessi, Peter's parents, and JoAnne and I, was a new hybrid laptop (can be used as a laptop or a tablet - runs Windows 8.1) We all went over to Chili's for supper. After supper, PB&J and Peter's family went back to the apartment to play an SUU version of Monopoly, while Kira and I went over to Brent and Lynn's house to visit with them and Dad. We heard lots of stories about the early days of BAC/SUSC/SUU and family, too. We went back to PB&J's apartment around 2100 just as Julie (Peter's mom) was finishing up beating Jessi at Monopoly (everyone else was already out of the game.) That night after everyone left, Jessi, Kira and I stayed up way too late just visiting.