I have attended many commencement exercises over the years, both at Proctor and at other schools and colleges. Reflecting the nature of this community, Proctor graduations are distinctly human, unpretentious, humorful and emotional. These are from Friday's Senior Dinner:

 



Never have these qualities been more in evidence than at Saturday's ceremonies!

Underclass persons were in for a treat.





First, speeches delivered by seniors Will Henriques, Canon Brownell and John Howard were superbly crafted and delivered with power and passion. Then, rock star Matt Nathanson, who graduated from Proctor in 1991, delivered an unorthodox Commencement Address that was both hilarious and pointed.

 

You might expect someone in Matt's position to urge seniors to "take things as they come," or "don't forget to smell the roses," but his message went in a different direction. Captivating the crowd with articulate, smart, yet goofy style, he implored us to do the work it takes to achieve dreams. Our culture, he observed, celebrates mediocrity. We must not settle, however, for anything other than our personal best. Fear stifles the creativity and motivation needed to excel; we must learn to be comfortable being uncomfortable! The audience of approximately 1,000 loved the message, and certainly loved Matt!

 

Matt then entertained us with a song of inspiration.... ("One of two I have!" he quipped.)

 

From this point on, the school really showed its style. After (Health Center Administrative Assistant) Lisa Scarry received the Nance Barrett Community Service Award from Mike Henriques, she dashed over to Matt Nathanson (whom she knows from long ago,) and gave him a long, rocking embrace. Moments later, when Laurie Zimmerman was presented the O'Connor Award for Excellence in Teaching, she did the same. The fun really started when students awards began, and--it quickly became evident that everyone wanted to hug Matt Nathanson!

 




By the time graduation exercises came to an end, following the presentation of 86 diplomas (each an opportunity to hug Matt!) he had been embraced well over 100 times (including one from the Chair of the Board of Trustees.)

Each senior deposited a tiny model skateboard in a bucket on receipt of the diploma, and Yasmine Zinbi (the final recipient) presented Mike with a full-sized spiderman skateboard, which Mike promised not to ride.

 

Saturday's graduation featured moments of spiritual reflection, remembrance of loved ones lost and calls for us to squeeze the best out of each day. But I can also say that it provided more laughter and demonstrations of affection that any commencement I have experienced.