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Graduation!!!
By Shawn | May 17, 2008
We did it!!!!
Today we, the Canisius College Class of 2008, were conferred degrees of Bachelors of Arts & Bachelors of Sciences and also accepted into the forever-firm and illustrious Canisius community of alumni. Our ceremony was held at Alumni Arena on the grounds of SUNY Buffalo, however the arena’s environment reminded me of nothing but Canisius Blue & Gold.
Our speakers, US Senator Chuck Schumer, Adam Pendleton (my freshman year roommate) ’08, and Mr. Darden ’72 of UPS, all gave rousing, practical, and heartfelt speeches.
The moment one crossed the stage will linger, I’m sure, in the hearts of all those who received their degrees today. There were more than 700 young men and women for others who were today awarded their bachelor’s degree.
I was fortunate enough to have a relatively large contingency in the crowd rooting for me. My parents flew all the way from Colorado to be with me while my extended family was also able to make it to the ceremony. Because each graduate was originally allotted only 6 tickets I had to scrounge up a few extras, and am thus grateful to all my friends who were able to offer their extra tickets to me.
These last few days have been full of lasting memories and the obligatory ceremonies/parties that accompany such excitement. In addition to today’s commencement ceremonies yesterday seven Canisius Army ROTC students, including my good friend Jon, were commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the US Army. Yesterday also consisted of the annual and ages old baccalaureate mass to celebrate our four years in development as men and women for others who have been educated in the Catholic and Jesuit traditions. Thursday night we ventured down to the Statler Towers to get our dance on at the Senior Ball.
Although everything we have been anticipating, as college students, for the last four years has certainly passed nothing has really set-in yet. I still feel like we are just going about our lives as normal. Nevertheless, I know everything will sink in soon enough, especially when I make the move to the Big Apple.
The final lines of the chorus of the Canisius alma mater sum up these last few days perfectly:
With ringing cheer, from far and near, Our loyalty renew! Our hearts will be true, Canisius, to you!
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