Misericordia U Graduation (COVID style)

Well Alex, it has happened!!  The long awaited and hard-won college diploma will be in your hands shortly.  You have worked so hard, and it shows since you graduated from Misericordia "magna cum laude" as indicated in the Misericordia University commencement booklet you can see below (it arrived after commencement, probably due to a USPS mail backlog that got worse as December wore on).  It is really thrilling that you've done it !!!

Graduation was on Sunday Dec. 20th at 11 am.  You weren't too interested in a traditional graduation ceremony, so this turned out to be perfect.  You told me that all you had to do was get up half an hour early, pull a gown over your pajamas and a cap on your head (that we later learned were Taylor's from her Slippery Rock graduation) and log into Zoom.  Steve did too, it was a nice surprise for us to see you in formal graduation attire, and of course your teachers' academic regalia - makes me think of Hogwarts/Harry Potter, and also remember how I enjoyed graduation pomp & circumstance especially for my Wilkes U masters degree.  The program went about an hour, and was highlighted by thoughtful and inspiring comments from your professors in particular Dr. Carso and a bit later Dr. Stevens - who are clearly and rightfully proud of the Gov't, Law and National Security program they have built up (including their ability to match students to meaningful internships in spite of COVID challenges).  Plus it was a novelty for each student to have the opportunity to talk about what the program has meant to them.  You mentioned how you had been challenged by your class work, especially in Dr. Padot's courses.  I was excited to be part of the ceremony, a bit weepy at times and am so proud of your accomplishments.  Rob joined us in Steve's office mid-way through the proceedings.  Here are some very nice pictures, most of them from Taylor - thank you Taylor!!   So now it's on to new ventures as you begin the full-time job search process.  No matter what comes next, you have a solid foundation and have developed skills (including excellent writing and presentation skills) that will be invaluable in years to come in your career and potentially in a graduate program.  Yahoo !!!!