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Congrats class of 2020... including my son. Tough times but Broncos are resilient!

I have two "seniors" in college. My daughter is at Oakland University, and just finished her winter semester "online", which worked out great for her because she is also working full time for a company where she should be landing a permanent job as an accountant, and she is doing that "from home" as well. So she has been home (with us), and saving gas and time, and actually working a lot more hours. She still has a few classes before meeting her accounting degree requirements, but we have no idea when her "graduation" ceremony will be.

Son is graduating from West Point. He has also been home since the end of spring break, and has been completing his classes "virtually" (systems engineering major). We had big plans (as all the WP parents do) for "graduation week", which was to have ended with graduation in the morning, and commissioning as lieutenants in the afternoon, on May 23. That changed, and now will be pushed back to June 13, and it is unknown if parents will even be allowed to attend. Graduation is a big deal at any school, and it is a really big deal at West Point. My daughter doesn't really care that much if she never has a ceremony for graduation at OU, but to the Corps of Cadets, who have really worked, studied, tolerated, bled, and cried together, graduation, and finally being able to toss those white caps, is very important. I am glad some type of in-person graduation will occur (Annapolis doing a virtual graduation), and really hope and pray that at least parents can attend.

I remembered my graduation from Western, but for me it was kind of like a "wow, that took a while, but its done" moment in my life. My folks attended, and we had dinner thereafter, but was pretty low-key. For everyone it is different I think, with many college graduates choosing not to even attend their graduation ceremony. I am glad I attended mine.

Congratulations to your children, Brovol and to your wife for providing the guidance for them.

When I graduated from Western, after my last class, my ride came to pick me up and I shoved my trunk into his back seat. My diploma was sent to me. My parents didn't have to pay since Western was GREAT in providing me with financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships, student loans, and jobs. Western was the best thing to ever happen to me aside from marrying my wife.

When I graduated from Boston College, I had my diploma sent to me. My parents never knew I graduated. I don't think my father ever knew I was going to grad school. I was there on a grant. They were absorbed in their own, separate lives. To me, family is everything. We attended all of our sons' games, graduations, cookout, and all the high lights of their careers.

Again, great job on parenting and be safe. Oh! Go Broncos, too.

(04-27-2020 09:04 AM)bostonbronco Wrote:  Congratulations to your children, Brovol and to your wife for providing the guidance for them.

When I graduated from Western, after my last class, my ride came to pick me up and I shoved my trunk into his back seat. My diploma was sent to me. My parents didn't have to pay since Western was GREAT in providing me with financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships, student loans, and jobs. Western was the best thing to ever happen to me aside from marrying my wife.

When I graduated from Boston College, I had my diploma sent to me. My parents never knew I graduated. I don't think my father ever knew I was going to grad school. I was there on a grant. They were absorbed in their own, separate lives. To me, family is everything. We attended all of our sons' games, graduations, cookout, and all the high lights of their careers.

Again, great job on parenting and be safe. Oh! Go Broncos, too.

Thanks brother. I would love to take credit for my kids success, but I don't think we did anything too special, other than what any parent should do. But I appreciate the comments regardless. We have been blessed, and I don't lose sight of that.

Graduation is a "to each his/her own" thing. When I was at WMU, I went from a low point of getting kicked out for academic failure (irresponsible party child), and being cut off financially by my parents, to graduating while working two jobs and taking classes at WMU and KVCC because I couldn't afford not to. It worked out, and I became an adult in the process. I don't recommend the brovol plan to anyone, but it was just what I needed. And at the end I thought the graduation ceremony was relevant to me. (Someone at WMU took a chance on me, perhaps foolishly, and I will never forget that).

When I graduated law school I was class president and gave a speech, so couldn't skip that one, but I think my whole class attended. Small graduating classes at Detroit College of Law (now MSU Law School). That was a good day.

I assumed from your name you had the Boston connection, but didnt know you went to BC after graduation from Western. What was grad degree in? That would be a cool town to go to school in. So many great colleges, BC included.

No disrespect to your parents, but your focus on family, and involvement in your kids life is the better method by far; and not just for your kids. I am sure you are far more happy and fulfilled by having attended those events with you children. I know I have been, and miss the fact that as the kids get older the less events you can attend. Its really nice having them at home right now. Never thought we would have them again for an extended period like this; and they are essentially held captive from their buddys too, stuck with my wife and me the whole time. LOL.

(04-27-2020 10:08 AM)brovol Wrote:  

(04-27-2020 09:04 AM)bostonbronco Wrote:  Congratulations to your children, Brovol and to your wife for providing the guidance for them.

When I graduated from Western, after my last class, my ride came to pick me up and I shoved my trunk into his back seat. My diploma was sent to me. My parents didn't have to pay since Western was GREAT in providing me with financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships, student loans, and jobs. Western was the best thing to ever happen to me aside from marrying my wife.

When I graduated from Boston College, I had my diploma sent to me. My parents never knew I graduated. I don't think my father ever knew I was going to grad school. I was there on a grant. They were absorbed in their own, separate lives. To me, family is everything. We attended all of our sons' games, graduations, cookout, and all the high lights of their careers.

Again, great job on parenting and be safe. Oh! Go Broncos, too.

Thanks brother. I would love to take credit for my kids success, but I don't think we did anything too special, other than what any parent should do. But I appreciate the comments regardless. We have been blessed, and I don't lose sight of that.

Graduation is a "to each his/her own" thing. When I was at WMU, I went from a low point of getting kicked out for academic failure (irresponsible party child), and being cut off financially by my parents, to graduating while working two jobs and taking classes at WMU and KVCC because I couldn't afford not to. It worked out, and I became an adult in the process. I don't recommend the brovol plan to anyone, but it was just what I needed. And at the end I thought the graduation ceremony was relevant to me. (Someone at WMU took a chance on me, perhaps foolishly, and I will never forget that).

When I graduated law school I was class president and gave a speech, so couldn't skip that one, but I think my whole class attended. Small graduating classes at Detroit College of Law (now MSU Law School). That was a good day.

I assumed from your name you had the Boston connection, but didnt know you went to BC after graduation from Western. What was grad degree in? That would be a cool town to go to school in. So many great colleges, BC included.

No disrespect to your parents, but your focus on family, and involvement in your kids life is the better method by far; and not just for your kids. I am sure you are far more happy and fulfilled by having attended those events with you children. I know I have been, and miss the fact that as the kids get older the less events you can attend. Its really nice having them at home right now. Never thought we would have them again for an extended period like this; and they are essentially held captive from their buddys too, stuck with my wife and me the whole time. LOL.

A big congrats to you and your family.

When I graduated, Most students didn't even care to walk, and a lot that did didn't like it. I personally think it's important but I'm a reflective kind of person.

Also, great story, bravol. I wish more kids today were like that. Also, I heard about West Point still wanting to do a ceremony for spring grads & I was happy about that.