2008 Woodie Awards
Students should show more respect
Issue date: 8/31/07 Section: Rocket Letters
To the editor:
After traveling from Maryland to Slippery Rock University for various reasons for four years (moving day, award banquets, shows or just to see my daughter) I must say, it was the first time we didn't get a full day of neither rain nor snow. You couldn't have picked a better day for the commencement ceremony for the more than 1,000 who went through the line to get their various degrees. With a light breeze and a slight cloud cover, even the families and their guests didn't suffer too much.
My disappointment during the ceremony was seeing 33 graduates leave while the procession line was still going on. The first two that left, I took as a couple who had to leave for personal reasons. But others kept walking out to be with their family and friends. The sad part, a majority of them didn't leave the stadium.
The graduates just stayed near the fence to talk, take photos and use their cell phones. The talking became a distraction as time went on. This became a distraction to the graduates who stayed in their seats, they kept turning their heads and talking among themselves as if trying to figure what is going on.
Yes, I understand they are proud of their achievements, but they should be aware of the big picture. They should understand that they are just a part of a wonderful picture and this is one of those times when the whole is bigger than the part. If these 33 graduates (30 graduates from the College of Business, Information and Social Sciences) expect successful professional careers, they have to know how to work in a team environment and stick together.
I know the University cannot do anything about what went on, but maybe advise the staff or University Police to not allow the graduates to walk out until the ceremony has concluded. The sorority (AKA) and fraternity members who were proud to wear their scarves as they left the ceremony should have shown more pride and respect to their university by staying put.
Jeff Seeman
Hanover, Md.
After traveling from Maryland to Slippery Rock University for various reasons for four years (moving day, award banquets, shows or just to see my daughter) I must say, it was the first time we didn't get a full day of neither rain nor snow. You couldn't have picked a better day for the commencement ceremony for the more than 1,000 who went through the line to get their various degrees. With a light breeze and a slight cloud cover, even the families and their guests didn't suffer too much.
My disappointment during the ceremony was seeing 33 graduates leave while the procession line was still going on. The first two that left, I took as a couple who had to leave for personal reasons. But others kept walking out to be with their family and friends. The sad part, a majority of them didn't leave the stadium.
The graduates just stayed near the fence to talk, take photos and use their cell phones. The talking became a distraction as time went on. This became a distraction to the graduates who stayed in their seats, they kept turning their heads and talking among themselves as if trying to figure what is going on.
Yes, I understand they are proud of their achievements, but they should be aware of the big picture. They should understand that they are just a part of a wonderful picture and this is one of those times when the whole is bigger than the part. If these 33 graduates (30 graduates from the College of Business, Information and Social Sciences) expect successful professional careers, they have to know how to work in a team environment and stick together.
I know the University cannot do anything about what went on, but maybe advise the staff or University Police to not allow the graduates to walk out until the ceremony has concluded. The sorority (AKA) and fraternity members who were proud to wear their scarves as they left the ceremony should have shown more pride and respect to their university by staying put.
Jeff Seeman
Hanover, Md.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Alumni
posted 9/01/07 @ 1:38 PM EST
Wow, Unbelievable.
Peter
posted 9/05/07 @ 11:27 AM EST
THANK YOU!
I could not agree more! When sitting at graduation, I was extremely hurt and disappointed when members of the AKA sorority and several fraternity members walked out of commencement. (Continued…)
Sue
posted 9/26/07 @ 8:15 PM EST
How disappointing. My daughter graduated from a private college near Cleveland("06" w/1000 graduates) held in the football stadium, hot, full sun and no one got up and left. (Continued…)
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