A Commencement

        Last week I had the privilege of attending Commencement at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where #1 Son received a Master  of Business Administration degree, and I received bragging rights and reflected glory.

        Very much indeed like the twinned weddings the graduation was full or ceremony and of course Pomp and Circumstance, both literally and figuratively.

        At MIT the Chief Marshall lead the procession carrying the ceremonial mace given to the Institute by the Class of 1907 on the occasion of its 50^th reunion. The mace, designed by a member of the Class is silver gilt with an eight bladed head topped with a beaver – the MIT mascot and engineer par excellence.  The shaft contains a series of octagonal decorative “knops” embossed with symbols for physics, mathematics, biology and other expressions of technology in the service of humanity.

        The academic robes follow the standards of the Intercollegiate Bureau of Academic Costume.  MIT’s doctoral robes are gray with distinctive cardinal red stripes, but MIT does not award hoods for Master’s degrees, so #1 son is hoodless while The Daughter has a Master’s degree hood from Washington University.

        Who knew?

        Again, the tradition and the ceremony are how we vest significance in the event.  The mace is a message from the Class of 1907 to the Class of 2010 and those who will come after.  The tradition of the dress, the procession, the music is all part of a collective experience shared over time of how we label something as Important.  It was a great joy to participate.