It's a strange feeling when your little brother gets to be as tall as you are. And it's even weirder when he becomes officially more educated than you. Come next year, when my sister completes her masters, I'll be the least educated Levitan in my immediate family. My dad's an MD, my mom and now my brother have their masters, and my wife is a PhD. All I have is my lowly B.S. Oh well...
I'm really proud of my brother earning his Masters in Professional Accounting from the University of Texas. It's a feat that terrifies me, because accounting makes me want to curl up in a fetal position and hope that the other six circles of hell are more entertaining at least.
I do appreciate accountants so much, because you couldn't get me to be one if you tried, and they're so necessary.
But, getting back to the point, UT puts on one heck of a show. It's almost worth going to see the ceremonies just to see them. My graduation from Carnegie Mellon was in the rain and cold and with Tom Ridge speaking just after getting his job as the Secretary of Homeland Security. It was awful. Lindsey's graduation the year earlier was far better - sunny and they had Rene Aubourjenois as the speaker, and his totally rocked.
Right, so, UTs graduation has so many people that it takes about half an hour just for all of the professors and graduates to process. Thankfully, they don't play pomp and circumstance the whole time, but mix it up some.
So here are a few of my favorites from the weekend, starting with just the MPA program's graduation, which filled a whole gym.
Aaron coming down in cap and gown.
Someone with a fancy mortar board.
Some of the professors even snooze a bit during the speeches.
Aaron, just before he walks.
Grip and grin!
On his way out, fancy new pen in hand!
Dad had the oldest, least steady of hand passerby take our picture, so it's a little off kilter, but it serves its purpose.
Mom tries out the mortar board and tassel.
The infamous UT clock tower.
The professors and graduates are escorted to the ceremony by a marching band of guys in cowboy hats.
Aaron makes it onto the jumbotron (three times!).
President Powers hooks 'em.
Rowdy crowd up front.
We're in front of the spectator section, it went back about a quarter of a mile behind us.
The Eyes of Texas were upon everyone.
Especially my Dad...
And Mom.
And what would a UT shindig be without explosions?
Congrats little brother!
-Sam
