On Memorial Day, this past weekend, I joined the thousands of people who call themselves alumni from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). Even though I had already received my diploma in December it did not feel as if I had really graduated from the school.
Wearing the cap, hood and gown along with my fellow graduates, classmates, and friends is a large part of the college experience. It is a culmination of what being a college student is about, being recognized for ones achievements and a celebration for the closing of a page.
Overall Commencement went off without any problems. The weather did not snow or rain and we were able to have the celebration outside. The only complaint being that the sun could be a little overbearing at times with very little cloud cover. This led to most of us grads having wonderful V shape tan lines from our caps but it was completely worth it.
The main speaker for the event was Peter Orszag who is the director of the White House Office of Management and Budget. Mr. Orszag was a very good speaker I believe as even though he had never attended RPI he seemed to have a decent understanding of the kind of institution it was and the type of people it attracts. Having grown up in the Capital Area definitely helped him with this as he was familiar with the school not confusing it with RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology).
Well time to wrap this up. I am proud to say that I am finally an alumnus of RPI, happy to have been a part of the Class of 2010 and wish my fellow graduates the best in all that is in store for them now that this one chapter of their life has closed. As for me I am continuing my travels and am counting down the days until I head off into the military.
Were you at the RPI Commencement?
What were your thoughts?
What is next for you in life?
