According to the veritable sources, the etymology of circumstance derives from the Latin of circumstare, meaning, "to stand around." Without appearing ungrateful, it's worth noting that Harvard appears deeply committed to servicing the word's latin intentions. Those wishing for 'pomp' are best served by attending that notion on their own. Thus we did!
We were so glad to have so many members of our families join us for graduation. We spent a hot and humid day exploring downtown Boston with Kevin's mother and father.
Wednesday, we enrolled those same generous parents in assisting our preparation for Thursday's barbecue before sitting through an oven-like Class Day ceremony. Class Day is where each graduate school undertakes all of the scintillating graduation speakers. At HBS, we were honored by the presence of Sir Ronald Cohen, a patriarch of European private equity. He spoke on the role of private enterprise in the solution of important social problems.
Thursday, Abigail and Kevin and all of their classmates lined up at 6:30 in the morning on the HBS campus. After thirty minutes of 'circumstance' (as described above), we marched en masse acros the foot bridge and outside Harvard Yard, where we enjoyed another 150 minutes of circumstance (I kid you not. We arrived outside the Faculty Club at 7:15 and marched into Harvard Yard at 9:45). Those of you who have Williams-roots might remember the traditional calling of order by the county sheriff:
In Harvard Yard, we underwent all the ceremony and tradition of a typical commencement, lots of standing and cheering and conferring. We also heard three speeches: (1) An impressive, if incomprehensible, latin oration, delivered rote by a graduating Senior; (2) An energetic, serious oration delivered in the vulgar English by another senior; and, (3) a hysterical, heartwarming speech by Jimmy Tingle, a prominent comedian and also a graduate of the Kennedy school.
After the morning exercises, we rushed back to the HBS campus for lunch and the diploma ceremony. Said ceremony sought to avoid all pompsity in its circumstance; merely, one poor woman was forced to read 911 names from dozens of different countries. She did quite well, although she apparently pronounced Kevin as Keveeeeen. Kevin wouldn't know, he was focusing on not falling off the stage.
We had a wonderful barbecue on our back deck after the commencement ceremonies on Thursday. This was the chance for pomp, and well thoroughly enjoyed each other's company, along with the Kingman-family-traditional-fare of flank steak and salmon. To all of our families, we are so, so grateful for all of your support and for coming to celebrate with us!!!
Graduation, commencement, class day, all of it, are thus completed. Abigail and I are graduates of the Harvard Business School (the introductory article receiving due emphasis from the outgoing dean, Jay Light, throughout his speeches, lest the institution be confused with the multitudes of Harvard Business Schools globally). We couldn't do it without everyone around us, and we are so, so grateful!!!
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