Sarah Graduates!

On Friday, May 20, 2011, Rich and I left Emeryville and drove up to Portland, Oregon via an overnight stop at Medford. On Sunday, we spent some time with Jesse walking about downtown Portland.

Sunday evening, Doug and Nancy Hansmann joined Rich, Jesse, Sarah and I at Papa Hadyn's for a celebratory dinner. Rae was flying back from Montreal for a Bar Mitzvah so she missed the laughter and jocularity that always accompanies a meal when we get together with Doug and Nancy. The meal was excellent and the desserts afterwards were sinful but we all enjoyed every minute and morsel of it.

Monday was Graduation day. We gathered for breakfast at Gray's center. Jesse and Rae joined us and we got our seats for the ceremony. As this was the 97^th commencement of Reed College they are practiced with Pacific Northwest weather and all of the ceremony was under a large white tent so everyone was shielded from the intermittent rain. Colin Diver, the president of Reed College, gave the introduction and Pamela M.J. Cox '75, vice president of the World Bank for the Latin America and Caribbean region, gave the address. Following the speeches, the graduates received their diplomas, according to department. Sarah received a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from the department of Mathematics and Natual Sciences.

Several students present Colin Diver with a memento when receiving their diploma. One student gave him a mounted deer's head. We are still not sure what this was signifying. Others presented him with posters, leis, a bottle of vodka, etc. There are two assistants at the graduation that are there just to collect these items. When Sarah received her acceptance letter to Reed in December, 2005, the envelope was contained not only the letter but was filled with confetti. She saved that confetti and when she accepted her diploma, she asked Mr Diver to bend over and she sprinkled a handful of this same confetti over his head. Below is a video clip that Doug took of this event.

After all of the graduates received their diplomas and to the standing ovation of the parents and friends, the recessional proceeded out the tent and the sun began to shine, at least briefly. The faculty lined the pathway and clapped as the graduates walked by. We were able to get a few pictures of Sarah before she went off to congratulate friends and we adjourned to the nibbles and champagne tent.

We are proud of Sarah and her accomplishment. She is not sure where her next path will take her but we are looking forward to her joining us on Windarra for at least part of the summer.