Grandson Dave's Graduation

This is the reason we made the stop in NH. Today grandson Dave graduated from the Whittemore School of Business at UNH. Next month's task will be to pass the CPA exams. It was a splendid day in Durham for a graduation ceremony...cool but no rain. In one of those pleasant little episodes, it was an overcast day except for a brief moment of perhaps 30 seconds during the chaplain's words when the clouds parted and the sun beamed down. The large crowd applauded. UNH did a fine job of managing the logistic difficulties of such an event. The speeches were brief and followed the green theme of sustainability. UNH has put their money where their mouth is. The entire school's power is provide by turbines powered by methane from landfills. The awarding of degrees read the names of only the PhD. graduates. All others were introduced and had degrees presented as groups by college. You would be hard pressed to find a graduate who was disappointed that his name was not read aloud.

A word on the pictures...there are three pictures of the graduate...one with his brother and one of his sisters, one with his parents and one with his grandparents. There is also a picture of his daughter, Brielle, our great granddaughter. On a personal note you might appreciate an unusual circumstance that happened prior to the ceremonies. Durelle and I had arrived early to save a few seats. I was standing up looking around for the rest of the party when a voice from four rows behind me called out my name. It was John Harrell. John is from Texas with no apparent connection to UNH. What was he doing here? A close friend's daughter was graduating, and John saw fit to attend. For nearly the last decade of my working career John was my cohort, counterpart, manager and friend as we jointly waged the battles that were a necessary part of seeing the F-22 on its way to successful production. It was an astounding surprise and pleasant reconnection.

After the ceremonies, we returned to the bus, walked Belle and returned to Mark and Heather's for grilled hamburgers and such. The past two days have been long ones. Both the ceremonial nature of the events and the length of the drive to Durham contributed. We wouldn't have missed it for the world.