So Much to Boast About

Ian will probably be mortified when he reads this post, but I'm too proud of him not to write it. Today, he graduated Summa Cum Laude from Hampden-Sydney College with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Biology and a minor in Rhetoric. That's quite a mouthful! I was so honored to be able to attend the ceremony with his family, friends, and professors who have supported him for four years through some of the most trying times in his life. He is so well-prepared for medical school, and so much of that is due to the support and education he's attained at H-SC.

 The ceremony of Hampden-Sydney's graduation is unlike any I've seen or heard of before. During the ceremony, the graduates are permitted, if not albeit encouraged, to smoke cigars and pop champagne bottles. The 2012 commencement speaker, Verne Lundquist, was definitely humored by this tradition.

"It was nasty! But it gets you %&$# up drunk!"

One of Ian's most challenging and distinguished professors told us this afternoon that the champagne-drinking tradition has existed as long as he can remember; he has been a professor at H-SC for 44 years!

One of Ian's closest friends, Raj Clark, delivered the Valedictory Address:

I won't lie -- I freaked out when the Dean announced Ian's name and lots of people screamed for him! As someone who proclaims she doesn't have tear ducts, I may or may not have teared up as more than sixteen of us cheered and rose to our feet in Ian's honor as President Chris Howard presented him with his diploma:

Before the huge group of us adjourned for the delicious buffet lunch the College provided, many, many proud photos were in order:

Yeah, all of these crazy people sat in the blazing heat for 3 hours to see everyone's favorite Chemistry-loving frat star receive his distinguished and well-deserved diploma ;) I'm horribly sunburned on my upper back, my shoulders, and one arm, but I wouldn't have missed this day for anything.

Congratulations, sweetheart! I could not be more proud of you!