IT Grads
Uploaded by peachy92.

Well, I finally did it. I finally earned a college degree. I have a Bachelor of Information Technology, pending on grades from this semester being posted. I have no doubt I have that degree. I only have one project for one class left to complete and turn in next week. The class doesn't even matter for my degree, but I want to get an A in that class and make the Dean's List. Joey says my life is shaped on how I perform academically, and he's right. I am not satisfied with Cs. I want those As. My other classes, the ones that really matter for my degree, are complete. I didn't get a degree today; instead, I got a diploma cover stating I'll get my degree in a few weeks. At practice yesterday, they said it would be February before we get the diplomas in the mail. I was the only one in the School of Computing to graduate Magna Cum Laude. A few others, like sweet Daniel, graduated Cum Laude in the School.

This picture highlighted is one taken before the ceremony began. The graduates lined up in two different lines that would snake into the arena. With the way seating and presentation of departments went, I was second in line, overall, for line A. The IT department was split up into the two different lines. 5 of us were in A. 6 were over in B. So, as we're waiting to start the ceremony, Joey came over and snapped this picture of Will, Sean, Duy, and me in line. I like how it looked. Believe it or not, the IT department is a very close department. We may hate each other and want to kill each other, but we're a big family. We help each other when needed. I'm going to miss them all.

The pictures from today are okay. The ceremony ended just after 11, so the pictures from after it are hard to see. The sun was directly overhead and even using my circular polarization filter couldn't stop washout in the photos. I have the Dean of the School of Computing asking me for photos. He could see me from the stage and saw I was taking pictures during the ceremony. He wants a few from them. He was also glad to see me graduate. He had me 9 years ago during my failed attempt at college. He knows how far I fell and how far I came back. My Computer Ethics professor told me she was sad to see me leaving Armstrong. I wasn't just a great student, but I'm a pleasant person to have around the department. My Data Com professor asked me when I was going to start the graduate program. I told her I needed a break. However, the department was so glad and proud to see me and the others graduate.

After the ceremony and the after ceremony talks, my family, Matthew's girlfriend Jessica, Joey, Lindsey, and Chris all celebrated my graduation at lunch. We went to Cracker Barrel and had a good time. Lindsey got me a gift for birthday/graduation. She got me Hymns For The Journey, a compilation of Amy Grant hymns from Rock of Ages and Legacy… Hymns & Faith.. It's funny she chose that CD, and that's where we had lunch. When I was there with Joey last week for lunch, I was looking over the CD and thinking of getting it. Those two know me well. I will miss seeing them everyday like I got use to since June.

Post jacking - there is a PupPup sleeping with me. She usually gets with me when Nicki and Beth aren't home. They are at work. They won't get off until midnight. I treated PupPup the other day with a squeaky hot dog toy. I do spoil her. I like bringing her home bones and squeaky toys. She's always so happy to get them.

Yesterday, my birthday, was good, too. Lunch was spent with Joey and the Writing Center people. It was their end-of-year get together. I didn't know most of them, but I did know Dr. Reese and her grad assistant, Donnette. Donnette worked with me there back when she was an undergrad. We were in Business Tech English together, as well. I went to lunch with them because it was my birthday. When Joey told Dr. Reese it was my birthday, and we were going to go have lunch to celebrate it, she said for me to come along.

Last night was the Wesley Foundation Christmas party. Melissa had her Armstrong and Savannah state folks get together. We Armstrong people may have been outnumbered, but we had fun and enjoyed the company of the Savannah State people. We played Apples to Apples, which my partner and I won, and exchanged gifts. I ended up getting a pomegranate and mango soap set from the exchange. Melissa even had the traditional southern party food, a huge plate of Chick-Fil-A nuggets, alone with Lil' Smokies, chips, dip, crackers, brownies, and cake.

The past 48 hours have been a flurry. I survived the hard part. I think I'll go watch a movie. I TiVo'd Guys and Dolls a week ago. I should go watch it. Pictures from yesterday and today are on my Flickr account.

[♪ Listening to: "Pinball Wizard" - Elton John]

Posted by Shawn at December 8, 2007 11:35 PM in Flickr Photos, General, Schooling.