2001.05.09

Like any other graduation ceremony, this one was purely for show. A bunch of seniors got all decked out in gowns on a 90-degree day (and subsequently melted), processed into the Greek to "Pomp and Circumstance," and sat through speeches. Fun stuff. The main difference was in participation: supposedly, only 400 seniors or so were part of the procession here, the rest opting to do more productive things like study for finals or sit in the stands in shorts and clothing that wouldn't melt.

The headliner for this event was Janet Reno, the former Attourney General responsible for such things as the raid on the Branch Davidians in Waco, and the whole controversy with Elián González being returned to his dad. She was to be the keynote speaker, though honestly, I actually went to hear Christine (university medalist, and overall sweet person) speak.

pre-procession gathering

So first, they herded us like cattle at Kleeberger Field (the only astroturf on campus...mmmm), from where the seniors (most were non-engineers, who I met for the first time while there) were to start processing. Did I mention how hot it was?

And thus begins the tradition of spelling out words and stuff on the tops of the caps worn by people....

processioning

So finally, they got us moving toward the Greek. And as we all entered from the south entrance, I couldn't help but think that this was indeed an overblown, overhyped event (after all, it was on a Wednesday afternoon...so maybe that would explain why the Greek was so empty).

And here's a shot of the crowd cheering and jeering as the seniors entered. To the right (but not on camera) was a video camera dude from a local news station. I made sure to wave frantically for that one...wonder if it showed up anywhere....

And this is a pseudo-panoramic shot of the whole audience from my seat amongst the seniors. If I were really spiffy, I'd cut/paste them together to form one whole coherent picture, but nah, too much work.

This is a shot of the empty stage, with the concert band playing their thing over and over and over again as more seniors keep filing in.

Here are a bunch of people who got to sit on stage (and hence didn't melt in the heat)...I think these were the finalsts for the university medal, and if you look closely, you'll see Brian Kim in there with a medal around his neck.

From right to left: Chancellor Robert "housing is not a problem" Berdhal, Janet Reno, and a bunch of other people who were to speak.

These would be the big bad spiffy award winners and class officers. Officers are wearing the yellow stoles; Christine can be found wearing the white TBP stole/bib, making her look like a gospel choir singer.

speakers

So then the speeches started. And kept going...and going. I was getting bored and began to regret not having brought my bubbles with me. At the very least, I'd know better for the next time.

Phillip Yim, class president.
I was most impressed when he busted out some Cantonese to thank his parents for their support.

Ted Saenger, class of 1951 gift committee.
Actually, I don't even remember what he talked about. All I have is his name, and who he is.

Romeo Leon, class of 2001 gift committee.
Again, I don't remember what he talked about. What's with these gift committees anyway?

Here, Chancellor Berdhal announces his proposed tuition hike. Haha, just kidding (though this is still much less than Stanfurd's tuition). He's really accepting the senior class gift, which will be used to make his bedroom bigger or something like that.

Chancellor Robert Berdhal.
What was really amusing was that at times during his speech, some random people above the crowd would taunt him and then run away. Whatever....

Alfredo Terrazas, Cal Alumni Association.
Wow, who is this guy? What did he talk about?

Prof. Leon Litwack, History
This guy was cool, talking about the times when Berkeley used to be non-liberal, and how it's really really cool to be part of the "Berkeley" protestor free-speech culture. Go Bears!

Here, Chancellor Berdhal introduces Christine, braniac perfectionist CEE major with the virtual 4.0 GPA, and winner of the university medal. =)

Christine Ng, winner of the university medal
I talked to her about the speech afterward - and I was right, she did start off a little nervous, but calmed down as it went on and as she recognised people she knew in the crowd....

random cell-phone user
Come on, have a little respect for the speaker and shut off your damn phone! What can be so important that you have to talk about during a commencement ceremony?

Janet Reno, former U.S. Attourney General
In the first image, she's just talking; in the second, she lets out a little laugh when the crowd starts hissing (as if she had said "Stanfurd") at the mention of "the next president" (Bush). Overall, her speech was a bit funnier than I would have expected, short of having her whip out "Janet Reno's Dance Party."

After all was said and done, the Men's Octet (all nine of them) came out to sing "Hail to California" and then we were free to go frolick!

free food!

Afterward, there was a mass rush to the campanile area where they were serving free food and refreshments! Such food included some sort of funky pizza, cookies, strawberries, and various other things. I spent my time wading through the big crowd of everyone, looking to see if I knew anyone at all. So I found maybe three or four people I recognised, as much of my Engineering peoples were being oppressed in lab with projects that were due.

Here I'm posing with Christine, hoping to bask in some of her glory. And no, those flowers and balloon were not mine; I was holding them for Tracy, who took the picture.

And here are a number of TBP women. Well, most of them are TBP women, at least. Sadly, I don't know some of them.