My Journey:

There's only one thing that I can write about August.  Commencement.

I completed my PhD back in January, and it was published in February.  My open house was in June, so by August it seemed that everything was old hat, used to the new paradigm, and whatever other clichés I can come up with.  I was wrong.

The actual commencement ceremony was Saturday, August 23, 2008 in Minneapolis.  I had been to Minneapolis several times before (different trainings, conferences, and even one of my residencies for my PhD).  In fact, I can say basically that there wasn't anyplace on this trip that we went that I hadn't been to before.  This is not to say that I had spent a lot of time and got to know the place, every other time I was there I actually stayed well outside of downtown.

So we arrived on Friday morning and took the train downtown, then walked to the hotel from there... maybe 7 or 8 blocks.  The hotel for the ceremony was the Hilton, with the actual ceremony taking place in Symphony Hall across the street.  My oldest daughters (Stephanie & Briana), granddaughter (Kaylie), mom, and Lance (Briana's boyfriend) came with me.

Friday night was the hooding ceremony, where I walk in with cap (actually the tam) and gown, carrying the hood that drapes down my back later, and as part of the ceremony they place the hood over you signifying being ready to wear the regalia of a doctor.  On Saturday afternoon, in full regalia, we marched over to Symphony Hall (stopping traffic & all) for the actual ceremony.  I have to say that as much as I was looking forward to the ceremony, it was better than I expected, and I am so glad that I attended and brought as many people as I could.  The ceremony has a way of making you feel very proud of yourself, as well as all the other graduates.  The Doctors.  I had been tentatively using the title for about six months... so it didn't feel all that big - until that ceremony.

I'm proud of my accomplishment, proud of Capella University, proud of being done going to school and achieving the highest rank possible.  Being in education all my life, especially in computers, I know that learning never ends, but this does mark the end of my formal education with the ultimate sign of success.  It's something that I never intended to do, never thought I would do, nor would I want to.  Then about five years ago I started looking into it, and for various reasons got started and just wouldn't let it end until I completed.  It took four and a half years - start to finish - and has given me a great sense of accomplishment, as well as a grin from ear to ear (I am sure) one more time.

After the commencement events completed, I planned it so that we all had a couple more days to do some other events that weren't all about me, such as a visit to the Mall of America (on Sunday) and a walk down to the Mississippi River (on Monday) before we returned home on Monday night (August 25).

It was a special day and weekend for me, and I want to thank my family for sharing it with me (those who came with) and for thinking of me (those who couldn't come along).  Thank you.

last modified September 17, 2008

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