Gregory Szorc's blog

Disappointed with Mid-Year Graduation Ceremony

I will be officially done in 8 days. I cannot wait. Four years and many thousands of dollars later, I am ready to graduate with a degree.

I am excited at the opportunity of being publically recognized for my accomplishments. I am excited at attending the ceremony that will put closure on all of my hard work. My parents are excited to see me recognized as well. You wouldn't believe the disappointment we both felt when we realized there is no formal December graduation ceremony. Instead, there is a Mid-Year Graduates Reception. A reception!!??. Held in Havorka Atrium!!?? I invest all this hard work and money and all I get is a reception!!??

I understand I have the opportunity to return in May to walk in Commencement, but do I really want to do that? Not only will I have to fly out here from California, but I would have to take off at least a day of work, assuming I celebrate afterwards. Not only that, but I would have to wait almost six months. The magic of the moment will surely be lost by then. I want instant gratification!

I am trying to rationalize why Case doesn't have a December Commencement, and I am shooting blanks. One would think that a university which encourages experiential learning, a practice that commonly affects the graduation date of students, and a university who commonly sees many December graduates would offer such an opportunity. Sure, it might make economic sense to hold one giant ceremony with all the bells and whistles in May, but that doesn't stop you from holding a watered-down version in December. I want to wear a gown. I want a Commencement speaker. I want to walk across the stage and receive my diploma, even if it is fake. I want an event culminating my experiences. My parents want to come away feeling their expense was justified. Waiting six months just doesn't cut it. And Havorka Atrium! What is that about? At least try to make it classy. We compare ourselves to "peer institutions" and dare to call ourselves part of the "New Ivy Leage." Well, it is time we start behaving like one. No Ivy is going to hold a graduation reception in an atrium! At least rent out Severance Hall for the event. That would be classy and would go a long way towards making up for the lack of a formal ceremony.

This reception will most likely be the last memory both my parents and myself have of Case. The lack of expectations being met will linger with me for years. I'll keep that in mind when the university is asking for money.

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My mother found a fair compromise at Wash U. We love comparing ourselves to Wash U, so I don't know why we don't do this.