A production

I cannot begin to explain the production which is Harvard's Commencement. Here are a few pictures from over the weekend that we took while hanging out in the yard, working on my own "commencement photos" so that I won't have to take a bunch on Thursday when all the other thousands of grads are staking out the best spots.

Cranes, giant white tents, cables, chairs, and a lot of extra hands start to appear the week or so before commencement. It's pretty fun really, and I imagine it is very expensive too! Good thing the tuition is so high - how else would they cover the cost? ;-)

Here is Widener Library with the first of the three giant Veritas flags which will appear on the building during commencement week.

Below is the flag which represents the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Each school has a flag similar to this, and they hang side-by-side on the trees in the "Tercentenary Theater" - the open space between Memorial Church and Widener Library where the main commencement events are held. It is quite a site to behold.

Although I have not seen the morning events in person (each graduate only gets 2 tickets to the morning event) I have heard several reports that it is a very interesting morning. Long, but interesting.

The gates open at 6:45 AM for parents, family, friends (whoever got the 2 tickets) to get seats, or standing room. Two hours later, a procession of scholars, dignitaries, and graduates roll in. As well as the sheriff of Middlesex and Suffolk counties who will arrive on horseback.

To keep everyone happy, or at least the grads, there is free beer (a tradition that dates back to 1703) and a variety of interesting speakers throughout the day. The morning exercises will include student speeches (one will be in Latin) and the afternoon exercises will feature a notable speaker (for Ryan's graduation it was Kofi Annan) - this year it is Bill Gates.

I'm really looking forward to the arrival of my family this week, which will really heighten the experience and make the commencement more "real" and of course more fun too! We haven't had all of us together (and I say that with the caveat that it will only be my sister joining us, not her whole family) since Christmas of 2005. But I think it will be a great time. We have plans to go to my favorite restaurant on Wednesday night, and we may grill at our place on Thursday. Lots of fun is in order!

Now if Harvard could just do something about this dreadful weather! We are anticipating sunny skies and 73 degrees, I really hope the good weather will pull through! Here is what we are looking at today:

For those of you who can't join us on Thursday, I will post some photos ASAP! Many thanks to those of you who have expressed your congratulations - it has been fun to get your cards in the mail and the smiles at church or across email these past few days!