We were very lucky and had a beautiful Dunedin winter day for graduation. It started with heaps of photos taken by our resident photographer, Corinna, on campus. We had to queue up at the popular spots (in front of the clocktower, by the Leith, etc). It was really fun walking around in full regalia and I was glad I went for a warm knit dress, tights and boots because although the skies were clear – it was very chilly.
Gary, Corinna, Rachel, Ginny and Hank waited at Starbucks along the parade route, while I headed for the School of Dentistry with the rest of the graduands walking in the procession through town. George and I found each other in the masses of black robes and had a really fun time walking to Town Hall together, chatting and waving at the crowd.
The ceremony itself was very nice and uniquely New Zealand with bits of Scottish heritage, including the regalia and bagpipes, and speeches and performances in Maori. The Maori students wore feather capes over their gowns, so the gathering ended up looking very colourful with the capes, our degree hoods, and the faculty in their school robes.
George and I were seated together and next to the Master of Entrepreneurship graduates. Although the non-PhD graduates usually go across the stage in groups of two or three, both George and I got to go up individually because we were the only ones with our degrees. I was MBA and George got his BA too. The whole thing was very well organised and orderly, since they school is 150 years old and they have been doing this version of the ceremony since the 1920s. Just before the Vice-chancellor read our names and the Chancellor capped us, attendants fixed our gowns and adjusted our hoods. George was very funny as he climbed the stage stairs and made me laugh, so I think I ended up giggling a bit as I went across.
Although I didn’t see them during the ceremony, both Richard, my supervisor, and Malcolm, one of my favourite lecturers, came and I saw them both briefly at the post-ceremony celebration. They both looked very handsome in their faculty robes (Commerce is Tangerine!). The kids particularly liked Richard’s cap which the called a ‘pillow hat’.
All in all it was a very nice day. I was a little sad to not have my mum and dad there, although I am pretty sure my dad was smiling down at me. My mum promised to make it to my next one. Now that I have had time for a wee reflection, I realise that completing my MBA has not only been a great personal accomplishment for me, but really demonstrates how important it is to be a part of a supportive iwi (tribe). Many thanks to my whanau (family) both here and back in the States.
Kia ora.
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