Commencement Weekend 2009

The One Hundred Fifty-Eighth Commencement was held on the campus of Saint Francis University last weekend. Our children, Penelope and Zachary, were among those receiving their degrees so this week's blog is all about the twins.

The statue of St. Francis is surrounded by spring in full bloom on the Saint Francis University campus mall, Loretto, PA.

Tulips are in bloom every year for the Commencement activities that are held on Mother's Day each year in the Stokes Athletic Center.

Baccalaureate Mass was held in the DeGol Arena on Saturday afternoon.

The auxiliary gym was setup to host the dinner for undergraduate students and their families following the mass.

A carver stands by his station ready to serve roast beef to the guests.

This shot and the next two were taken from the running track that overlooks the auxiliary gym.

I used available light to get this shot of the four meat carvers serving the guests.

Torvian Dining Services managers surveying the activities to keep things moving.

Meanwhile, back at the DeGol Arena, underclassmen prepare the seating for the Commencement to take place on Sunday.

John Woznak, Ph.D., class of '77, organist for the Preludes performed at the Undergraduate Program.

Zachary in the Auxiliary Gym as the graduates line up for the processional into the main gym.

Dr. Kirk Weixel and Dr. Wayne Takacs lead the processional of faculty and staff members.

Penelope and Zachary enter the Arena with the rest of the candidates for Bachelor of Arts degrees.

Having last names near the beginning of the alphabet put our offspring in the front row of the B.A. candidates.

Rev. Gabriel J. Zeis, T.O.R., President of Saint Francis University, addresses the graduates, parents and friends.

Dr. Manfred A. Max-Neef stands center stage as his qualifications for the Honoray Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters are read to the audience.
http://www.rightlivelihood.org/max-neef.html

Dr. Manfred A. Max-Neel
Commencement Speaker for the Undergraduate Ceremony

A view of the audience from the podium while Dr. Max-Neef presents his ideas about ecologic economics and the importance of finding practical solutions to global challenges.

289 Bachelor degrees and 6 Associate degrees were presented at Sunday afternoon's ceremony. In the morning 21 doctor of physical therapy and 267 master's degrees were awarded during the Commencement ceremony for Graduate students.

Penelope, Zachary and Sarah.

Dr. Kirk Weixel arranges a hood for a graduate.

Dr. Wayne Powel, Ph.D., Provost, read the name of each student as they walked across the stage to receive their diploma from Saint Francis University President Father Gabriel Zeis.

Penelope receives her diploma from Fr. Zeis.

After receiving his diploma Zachary turns to head for the stairs and the hooding area. Since Zachary was the next student after Penelope to receive his diploma there just wasn't time to get photos of everything happening.

Dr. Stephen Gilmour adjusts Penelope's hood, while Dr. Takacs places the hood on Zachary. Dr. Weixel will then adjust Zachary's hood.

Yipeee!

Now, to get a job!

To the 'Burgh and Back

This week's blog covers a round trip of about 250 miles. We went to Pittsburgh to attending the wake of my wife's aunt. I took pictures all along the way -- from the ridge to the big city and back to the ridge again.

The first two photographs this week are of tulips blooming in our yard.

President's Awards Convocation -- April 28, 2009, Saint Francis University

John Woznak, Saint Francis University professor of English, played the processional during the President's Awards Convocation in the JFK Auditorium.

This group of students sang the school's Alma Mater.

Father Jack McDowell, Campus Ministry

Route 422 West where Rt. 28 leads to Pittsburgh, PA.
Oh yeah! The big guy on the right sits outside of a bar that you cannot get to and from real easy seeing how the front entrance is closed.

Millvale, PA -- Intersection of Evergreen and Lincoln.

This is what you see when you take Exit 3A off of Route 28 South.

St. Benedict Monastery
http://www.osbpgh.org/

As I'm standing outside of the monastery I shot this picture of a military air refueler as it passed over head into the sun almost completely overtaking the frame.

Close-up of a Statue of the Virgin Mary.

Shrine inside the monastery.

Office Decoration.

View from the front door of the monastery looking West.

St. Benedict, himself.

Sign of the times that promises a hefty fine.

East bound and down....

After a long day on the road putting up with crazy, city folk, it was nice to see a friendly face as we passed through Hastings on our way back up to the top of the ridge where we belong.

A few more frames of my wife's tulips. These three pictures were shot with my FujiFilm FinePix S5700 point and shoot. I use the super macro setting and set the camera on auto.

Last week I said that the robins built two nests out in the rhododendron. Of course they layed their eggs in the nest that is hard for me to get to. I also used the FinePix on auto to get this picture. I had to reach up over my head and pull the limb that the nest is built on down far enough that I could hold the camera high over my head to get this shot.

One of twelve deer that broke out from the treeline and crossed the road right in front of me. I think this is the 3rd or 4th deer to cross. It's been awhile since I've had that many deer cut me off without bringing one of them home for supper.

Barn guard.

This blog has many stories to tell. This is just one of them.