tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post2554693603754585949..comments2024-03-25T02:33:41.590-05:00Comments on FemaleScienceProfessor: UnceremoniousFemale Science Professorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15288567883197987690noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-14877494813861350862008-02-06T17:52:00.000-06:002008-02-06T17:52:00.000-06:00I didn't want to go to my baccalaureate graduation...I didn't want to go to my baccalaureate graduation, and my parents were livid. Growing up in the Depression, my dad was unable to go to college despite scholarship offers; he was needed to help support his family. I duly went and they threw a big party for my aunts and uncles that I didn't enjoy. Since I was the only one of my siblings to go to college, a party was mandatory.<BR/><BR/>Fast-forward 25 years; my youngest son convinced me to get an advanced degree he was himself pursuing. Four difficult and exhausting years later, I became the first in our nuclear family to achieve a doctorate (5th in the huge extended family). I went happily to celebrate the occasion with my friends and loved ones. The hooding ceremony was extremely moving and intimate. The actual graduation was large yet well-conducted. My dad was diagnosed as terminal during my studies and I did not expect him to be there, but frail as he was, he dragged himself there joyfully. When I saw him after the ceremony, I sobbed in utter relief, for which my kids still give me crap. I am the living embodiment of what he may have achieved under different circumstances.<BR/>I understand the family's need to mark this milestone; they don't understand the crap and scut work the student endures that makes the college hoopla less endearing. They need the visual images of achievement more than the student does.<BR/><BR/>I was glad to have the special moments with my friends, even though the dean made a rude and uncalled for comment to me on the stage. After the ceremony, I took my four kids and a close friend out to lunch, and we had a wonderful time. Then the next day I threw a kegger. One is never too old for a kegger.:)Anfahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02741837780024403986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-9762836636098602812008-02-05T11:20:00.000-06:002008-02-05T11:20:00.000-06:00As I told the very nice man who was head of the gr...As I told the very nice man who was head of the grad program, I spent 21 years in the Marines wearing funny clothes and marching in lines.<BR/><BR/>I skipped the ceremony, too.Shayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16527241089629026268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-34380881462767982462008-02-05T10:08:00.000-06:002008-02-05T10:08:00.000-06:00I'm going to my PhD graduation ceremony, because I...I'm going to my PhD graduation ceremony, because I will be celebrating victory over all the people at my university who are trying to stop me or discourage me or generally make my life unpleasant. I will also be celebrating being able to leave the macho engineering culture behind and start racking up frequent flyer miles working for a consulting company.Global Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13119668041288146887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-18229484783555161202008-02-04T17:34:00.000-06:002008-02-04T17:34:00.000-06:00I totally want to go to my graduation ceremony, bu...I totally want to go to my graduation ceremony, but I hope to be properly finished with my PhD work by then. I'll invite my whole family to come too, since I''ll be the first to get an advanced degree.<BR/><BR/>You certainly do seem to have a life filled with notable experiences.EcoGeoFemmehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11236907917990309659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-65129457579736110872008-02-04T16:10:00.000-06:002008-02-04T16:10:00.000-06:00Wow. That story about your high school graduation ...Wow. That story about your high school graduation is amazing. But I guess you can't take it personally if none of the other 11 girls would have been 'good enough' in their eyes. And you obviously taught them a valuable lesson. <BR/><BR/>The college one, I'm sorry, but that is not a funny practical joke. <BR/><BR/>My PhD graduation was memorable only in the sense that I have pictures to prove it happened. <BR/><BR/>I feel bad for your student. Parental pressure is a strange force in the universe.Ms.PhDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06542602867472447035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-91332890954693220162008-02-04T14:57:00.000-06:002008-02-04T14:57:00.000-06:00I managed to escape my PhD graduation ceremony (in...I managed to escape my PhD graduation ceremony (in Scotland) through the simple measure of moving to Western Canada. Like you, I've never regretted not going. My one undergraduate ceremony was enough! (We don't do high school graduation ceremonies in the UK).Cath@VWXYNot?https://www.blogger.com/profile/01164268321173313605noreply@blogger.com