College of Sciences Newsletter

Edition 12

May 1, 2002

 

‘Twas the Night Before Commencement

Rendition by Phyllis Brown
Edited by Many

‘Twas the night before commencement, when all through the school
Not a student was stirring, not even the cool.
The chairs were lined up at the stadium with care,
In hopes that the weather would be sunny and fair.

The graduates were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of employment danced in their heads.
With Mom in pink rollers, and Dad in his cap,
The family settled down for a well-deserved nap.

Early the next morning there arose such a clatter,
As students’ dress shoes and high heels made a patter.
Off to Foreman they headed and flew like a flash,
Charging onto the field to their seats they did dash.

The sun shone brightly on the artifical lawn,
Little kids squealed with joy, while old timers yawned.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But the platform party coming ever so near.

With a beautific smile and a voice quite resonant,
I knew in a moment it must be the President!
More rapid than eagles her followers they came,
And she waved and nodded, and called them by name.

“Now, David! Now, Robert! Now, Dana and John!
Come, Bruce! Come William! Come Cheryl and Tom!
To the top of the stage! to the head of the line!
Now hurry dear people, for it’s almost that time!

And then, in a twinkling, I heard with my ears
The rustling and shuttling of robes drawing near.
As I opened the program, and was turning to look,
I saw the faculty each open their book.

The speaker dressed in silk, from his head to his toe,
Surveyed the audience, and was ready to go.
A notepad of pages he had flung on the stand,
I had never before seen a sight quite so grand!

His eyes – how they twinkled! His dimples were many!
His hair, the color of a new copper penny!
His mouth was quite full of shining white teeth,
And his beard framed his face like a fresh Christmas wreath.

The noise of the crowd fell from its crescendo-like peak,
As the guest cleared his throat and prepared to speak.
All eyes were upon him as he “opened the fount,”
He had only 10 minutes, each word had to count.

He was witty and funny, a right pleasant fellow,
And the students paid attention – no need for a pillow.
The smile on his face as he addressed the large crowd,
Soon gave me to know their response would be loud.

He spoke with precision and drew us all closer,
Filling our heads with hope for the future.
And laying his hand on his chest, near his heart,
He gave a quick nod as he prepared to depart.

He sprang to his seat, after giving a bow,
While the audience stood, applauded and how!
But I heard him exclaim, ere he ducked out of sight,
“Be the best you can be – now go and take flight!”
 

A special thanks to Milissa Story, College of Sciences, and Steve Daniel, Institutional Advancement.