“Congratulations to the Class of 2007!”
With those words, hundreds of family members and friends rose to their feet at the Pierce College graduation.
Although a seemingly typical commencement, a new and refreshing change was evident this year: an abundance of teachers.
Past ceremonies have had record lows in attendance with fewer than 10 percent of full-time faculty present. It was such an issue that there were Academic Senate meetings that addressing this topic.
A May 2, 2007, editorial in The Pierce College Roundup, emphasized professors abandoning this tradition for many years.
To our surprise, a previously apathetic educational staff showed up in greater force to prove that they DO care.
Not only did they appear, they stayed.
As “Pomp and Circumstance” played, a congratulatory line of instructors that spanning the length of Swisher Park formed as they greeted their former pupils with handshakes, hugs and well wishes on their future journeys in life.
Hours after the last diploma was presented, there were still students introducing their families to their teachers who have made such a difference in their lives.
Tears flowed down the students’ glowing cheeks as they said goodbye to professors who guided them in this part of their academic careers.
Instructors who attended made an impact on their former students lives with a simple, yet powerful, message: “We care.”
So on behalf of the 2007 graduating class and those in the future, we say, “Thank you, not just for being there… but also for being there.”