Signing Off (For Now)

Signing Off

Unlike Kathryn Flagg and Zamir Ahmed, the editors of The Middlebury Campus, I did not set out on my MiddBlog “job” with the goal of not getting fired. Honestly– who was going to fire me? Rather, my goal was not to embarrass myself. Mission . . . impossible.

Although I entered semi-retirement yesterday (more on that later), you, dearest MiddBlog readers, have not seen the last of me. Ryan Kellett ’09 has big, big plans for MiddBlog for the Fall, which will include more writers blogging about more facets of the College. Yours truly will cover the alumni/town-gown perspective. For those of you who have grown tired of my blathering, have no fear: I shall only write once or twice per month. Although, at the rate I have been currently writing for MiddBlog, once or twice per month is par for the course.

Commencement

May 25, 2008. Beautiful, beautiful day. Two “utterly fantastic” commencement addresses given by Max Nardini ’08 and Walter Massey (you can view the text and video of both commencement addresses on the Middlebury College website). A mortarboard tan line.

Graduation is a lot like a reverse mugging. Walk up ramp shake hands with Ron Liebowitz chat for 1.25 seconds receive degree in left hand shake right hands with Department Chair receive replica of Gamaliel Painter’s cane high five James Davis (professor) (if you’re lucky) try not to get replica of Gamaliel Painter’s cane tangled up in your gown high five Bobby Joe Smith III 2008-2009 SGA President breath sit down.*

By the time you come off that stage, you have no idea what just happened to you, only that you have a shiny, new degree and a totally rockin’ tappin’ replica of Gamaliel Painter’s Cane. That, and a completely satisfying sense of mission . . . accomplished.

Signing off (for now),
Sarah Franco ’08

*Written in the style of James Frey’s latest book, Bright Shiny Morning, to convey rapidity with which graduation occurs. P.S. Book is highly recommended, especially for those in semi-retirement.