Mission Control – writing a Harvard thesis

Graduation was wonderful! My family and I had a great time yesterday. The weather was beautiful. It was a gas walking around in the regalia getting lots of smiles and congratulations!

The diploma ceremony in the A.R.T. was exciting and fun. The champagne reception preceding it was quite nice.  Afterwards, Peter O’Malley and his crew (Sarah and Kerry) did a good job of getting everyone lined up by number to form the processional into the theater for the diploma ceremony.  Standing in the lobby waiting to go in as the ceremony officially began took a while but there was lively conversation and gossip tidbits to keep us occupied.  From the food and drink in the lobby and courtyard area, talking to fellow students about our thesis experiences in the program while standing in the procession line, to the class photo afterwards — it was just great! What’s not to like?

The diploma itself is big. It comes in a lovely bright red/crimson envelope. It’s not really possible to look at it until the whole thing is over (the seating is too tight to open it). Later, when I did get my first glance, I discovered it was accompanied by a certificate for academic achievement – Dean’s List (GPA of 3.8+). I had no idea they had the formal recognition. Bonus!

To cap off the day,  we had dinner at the Harvard Club of Boston – again, simply marvelous.

Now I have to get used to saying, “I’m a Harvard alum“.

Below is a shot of the stage with Dean Shinagel speaking.