The Graduation
The Graduation Ceremony takes place in Alumni Park, overlooking the Pacific Ocean on one side and Pepperdine Campus on the other side. The schedule is very tight. All the graduates dress up in black robes, and so do their professors. Every program and every school has specific robes, so that you know what you have graduated. I had mixed feeling during the ceremony. On one hand I was happy, but on the other hand, everything was over! The setting is formal and well organized. Usually, many relatives of the students come and assist. Besides the professors, the Dean and the President of the University are also present. Once you are called upon to pick up your diploma, you are congratulated by them. A student delivers a speech from the part of the hole class. In our case, it was Michelle who went on to work for Booze Allen. Once the ceremony is over, you are hooded by somebody close to you. In my case, I was hooded by Brad.
Below, I recorded many clips that show the Graduation Ceremony from beginning till end. I also recorded what happens “behind the stage.” There are some funny moments and commentaries. After the ceremony, the students usually go out for lunch with their relatives. I went out for lunch with Scoompy and Daniel’s relatives and in the evening with Bryan’s family. I was part of their families myself anyway:)!
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At the end of the day we all went to party at Chapter 8 Club in Agoura Hills, for the last “get out together.” Almost everybody spread throughout United States or to their homecountries, once the MPP Program ended.