Graduation Day
Today is June 15, 2021.
Nothing special about today. Except for the reminders. The ones that are in front and above my desk as I work remotely.
The picture of me with the cap and grow and two tassels (one for each major). And the smile that could have solved the worlds’ energy problems for the next century.
And then, the piece of high-quality paper with my full name, signifying that I graduated from the University of Oregon.
On June 15, 1996.
Yes. It’s been twenty-five years since I stepped onto Hayward Field, heard Ann Curry give the graduation speech, and formally finished my undergraduate studies. End of college.
But everyone remembers how they got there and everything else that took place. For me, it was a long road, involving another school called WPI, which I still have good memories of. Especially since started my studies there as well as fencing. But college ended years later at UO and my years in Eugene, Oregon during the mid-90s are a big part of my life, as well as some really good memories as well.
But…25 years…
A lot of things have changed since then. I’m seeing kids that I knew as toddlers are now graduating from high school or in the process of thinking about college. I took a side trip to Eugene on my way to Vancouver in September 2017. Needless to say, the school has been doing a lot with Philp Knight’s money! New buildings, buildings that I went to renovated, etc.
And I just missed getting the last glimpse of the original structure of Hayward Field before its complete renovation – it was already flattened and cleared when I got there. It’s up and running with various athletics events and more so with next week’s Olympic trials.
So it’s been 25 years. Yes, the world has changed. I’ve changed. I could say that it’s surprising but it’s more about amazement than anything else.
And. I don’t have anything else to say.