2024 – Horn-Tooting in the First Degree (50 Years Ago Today!)
……………………………………………..(ignore April 30, 2017 publish date – this was published on June 2, 2024)
In the first-degree? Must be some pretty serious bragging!
Well…….YOU be the judge.
This week, I read an article about the Ramapo College graduation ceremony at the Prudential Center in Newark – a rather large venue.
I graduated from Ramapo in 1974 – five years after I was supposed to (a whole ‘nother story at a whole ‘nother college…………..https://iaintjustmusic.bobleafe.com/?p=6541, if you’re interested) – in a small on-campus outdoor ceremony, which I guess was appropriate, as we were only the school’s second graduating class. There weren’t that many of us.
Initially, I could find no record of the date of graduation, so I emailed the school about that on May 30 – 3 days ago – and got a reply the next day (thank you, Ariana!):
The date was June 2, 1974.
Hey, wait! That was 50 years ago TODAY! Not sure why, but I have to write about this (and take a lot of pictures)…………..quickly!
So I’m feverishly trying to find anything connected with that ceremony and – of course – I find diplomas from every school I ever attended, but not the one I need.
I knew I had a ring, but……………
Finally, I tore apart some dresser drawers that contain much of my life and found everything, PLUS other goodies, including a wad of 25 U.S. one-dollar silver certificates that may now have a lot more value (good-thinking there, Robert……….maybe).
The Ring:
Straight-on and right side, which shows the year, a handshake, the phrase, “Peace Through Understanding” – and the school symbol – “The Arch” (shown in the opening pic). The unphotographed left side shows “BS”, which I hope refers to my degree.
On the inside – a rather sloppy signature:
What I came for that day:
From the program:
Who gave the commencement speech?
Related stuff:
What was attached to my car’s left side back seat window that year?
Believe it or not, during that year, I was a student at one college AND a faculty member at another college – a year before I got my diploma!
(slightly bragworthy?)
Oh yeah – almost forgot…………the graduate:
Note: I was already leaning in another life direction away from chemistry, as is almost visible on one of my jeans’ legs.
What’s that purple blob, you say?
About 30 years later, I opened up a clothing bag in which a LOT of old clothes were jammed in and found those very-wrinkled jeans:
That purple blob should be a little more recognizable now.
Most of you know the rest of that story.
As for this story, I’m done. I need a rest (sore arm from patting myself on the back).
That rest will have to wait a bit because of a last-minute find:
NOW I’m done.
Thanks for reading my RAMAPOst.
Is that (the talented seamstress) Elaine’s handiwork on the jeans?
Yas’m.