Graduation - The Main Event

Last night I went to the MPA/MEM (Economics) graduation dinner. As has been true of many of the graduation events here it was familiar with some added fun twists. Upon arrival each person was given a small woven box with a souvenir inside (a small face cloth). After ages of milling around (traffic and possibly parking issues) the event began. The graduates walked in - some in caps & gowns and some not (any NCSU MPA readers will know that caps and gowns vs no cap and gown is a perennial issues and gets resolved exactly as at USM). After the usual remarks and recognition of the graduates (name, handshake and a photo session - diplomas are awarded at the earlier commencement ceremony) we had dinner. Dinner was a buffet and quite good - I could have embarrassed myself by over-indulging in the baked fish.

After dinner there was a "lucky draw" - the number on the box is one's lucky number. There were various wrapped items. Even though one appeared at our table it stayed wrapped - so nothing to report on the contents.

The event I was especially intrigued by was the "Selection of the King and Queen for the Night." The emcees announced the name of a "nominee" for a queen and next a king. Each was asked to do something small - runway walk/make a "monkey face." The student next to me said this was "Malaysian topic model." Included in the middle (blue/white shirt to white shirt) were four lecturers. Three were asked to sing together. The man in the white shirt was asked to sing something in Tamil. After everyone was lined up they turned around and there was a hand vote. Two lecturers were named king and queen, including the Tamil singer. Anyway it was great fun.

I have pictures of my students, which I will include in later posts. The hosts were the MPA & MEM clubs so current students and graduates attended.