Graduation

Today I am in Washington DC for Walden's commencement ceremony tomorrow! What is Walden's graduation ceremony like? In general, I am not a big fan of graduations- but I do like Walden's. Let me see if I can paint you a picture. The audience is in their chairs quietly talking, and the faculty enter in their caps, gowns, and brightly covered hoods to music. Faculty with doctoral students who are graduating will be on the stage so they can hood their students. Next, the excited graduates enter to the cheering of their families.

Walden's President, Dr. Cynthia Baum and the President of Walden's Board of Directors address the audience. There is a guest speaker (always good!). Then it is time for the degree conferrals. Students getting bachelors and masters degrees have their names read and they go across the stage. Then the doctoral students have their names read ("Dr. Jane Smith") and their chair, if present, or the associate dean of the school hoods them. There is much hugging and crying. It is a beautiful ceremony and marking of your accomplishment. After the ceremony, there are parties and activities for children. Attached is a photo of me (on left) with my doctoral student, the "new" Dr. Lee Clark. I look forward to seeing you there soon!
Graduation will be available to watch online! Please join us online at www.WaldenU.edu on Saturday, July 12, at 1:30 p.m. Eastern time.
Next time I return to my series on making data make sense.  Do you have an issue or a question that you would like me to discuss in a future post? Would you like to be a guest writer? Send me your ideas! leann.stadtlander@waldenu.edu