Graduation: undergrads vs. overgrads

"A graduation ceremony is an event where the commencement speaker tells thousands of students dressed in identical caps and gowns that 'individuality' is the key to success." ~ Robert Orben


As you, dear readers, already know, a few weeks ago I participated in my PhD graduation ceremony. Here at LargeU, we can just participate in our departmental ceremonies, which cuts down the numbers from several thousand graduates to <100.

Not that it felt like any less when we were all jammed into the hot, stinky bowels of the theater for lineups. And by "we" I mean all of the chemistry undergrads, those that mastered out, and the PhDers (aka the "overgrads").

Surprisingly, the undergraduates were on their best behavior (way to get alphabatized!), while it was we PhDers that were the troublemakers. Actually, in retrospect, I think that the undergrads' stellar behavior-- a stark contrast to their usual loud and stickiness on the buses, in the student center, or sprawled half-naked on the campus lawns-- had more to do with their bewilderment at our frilly gowns (what's with all the velvet?), extra accessories (silk hoods are so in this Ph.D. season), and uncharacteristically good spirits (grad students are not known for their sunny dispositions).

So while the undergrads all dutifully stood in their line, on the other side of the hall we were all hamming it up. Contraband cameras (we weren't supposed to carry anything into the ceremony except for our hoods-- thank goodness for giant doctorate sleeves!) flashed as we all darted in and out of line to snap photos. Eventually the departmental staff gave up; I think they knew that once they bellowed "let's go!" we'd all come to attention.

If you had asked me five years ago (okay....4.75) if I would be participating in my PhD graduation, I would have rolled my eyes. But I'm really glad that I walked and got hooded. It was a lovely capstone to years of insanely hard work, and it was awesome to have my family there to cheer me on. It didn't hurt that N.A. graduated with me, too.

"Mathematics are well and good but nature keeps dragging us around by the nose." ~Albert Einstein

In the past 12 days, I

~ have visited 5 different airports

~ have been to 4 different states

~ spent 22 hours road tripping

~ flew for 29 hours for a total of 9,496 miles

~ have seen some family members for the first time in 3 years



I'm back! Once I get the numbers straight in my head, I'll be back to a regular posting schedule.

Blogger, interrupted

My recent absence from the blogosphere is due to a wicked combo of graduation festivities and a much needed vacation abroad. I'll be back to the States next week.

Posts to look out for:

* Key observations of and reactions to all that is the PhD graduation

* Interactions with The Boss post-doctoring

* Thoughts on why I am pro-drugging children (note I did not say infants) on trans-Atlantic flights


Hope all is well with you! I look forward to catching up on your blogs once I'm back home to my steady internet, scattered sleep, and semi-crappy food!

Conversation with The Boss

Unbalanaced Reaction: Here you go, The Boss! {hands over package}

The Boss: {looks confused} Uh, what is it?

UR: Your academic regalia for graduation! I went to the departmental office to pick it up for you!

The Boss: Uh...oh, it is time for that already?

UR: {patiently} The Boss, you know that you need that for all the post-graduation photos of all of us with you. You know, while we're all going to be in our gowns and hoods.

{pause}

UR: You'll want these pictures some day. I want them some day. My mother wants them now. There will be lots of pictures.

The Boss: {winces}

UR: Yeah, that's the face you need to get out of your system before graduation. My mother will only make you take more pictures if you look like that.



The Boss thinks that *I'm* a handful? Just wait until The Boss meets my mother during graduation weekend!!

Code of Conduct

In my department there is an unwritten code of conduct among graduate students. Basically, it boils down to this: thou shalt not dick over a fellow graduate student.

Still, I was surprised by the reaction of some to the Q&A portion of my thesis defense. Two of my coworkers asked two or three questions apiece. Some were a bit tricky, but I handled them fine (and was kinda glad to be challenged).

Afterward, everyone came up to give their obligatory congratulations. A few of my friends mentioned that they were surprised by the numbers of questions from fellow grad students, but I brushed it off. That is, until N.A. brought it up later. "I couldn't believe the questions that Coworker was asking! Doesn't he know that he isn't supposed to do that!"

I was very taken aback. I thought to what I would have done. I've attended dozens of seminars during my time at LargeU. Of the ones that were student seminars, I've occasionally asked questions. I never felt like I was breaking the code, since I was always genuinely interested in what I was asking.


So where do you weigh in? To ask questions, or not to ask questions? Is there an unwritten code of conduct for grad students at your school? What about amongst postdocs and faculty?