Drink, drank, drunk

This time last year, I thought I was graduating. Since I’m not a math major and University Studies requirements don’t just disappear magically, here I am, graduating a year later, this time for real.

I’m a lot less worked up about it this year than last. Last year, remember, Katie Harmon was delivering the commencement speech and we all got a little emotional about it. Even Katie.

I went to that commencement, unfortunately. I had three hours of sleep and had spent the entire day before moving. Katie’s speech totally blew, and then the Nazi graduation “volunteers” wouldn’t let me leave. It’s a good thing I had no weapons, because I was pretty pissed. Seriously. If I had to pay $50 to walk, you think they could treat me a little better.

This year I’m not going to bother. I did it once. I don’t even know who the commencement speaker is and I don’t care. As far as I’m concerned, the entire event is overrated.

I’m just going to roll a keg into the back yard and drink the afternoon away with people who cared. I can think of no better way to commence to the next step of my life.

So what will I miss at PSU? Well, certainly not University Studies.

I will miss my quality instructors. They include, but are not limited to, Ma-Ji Rhee, my Korean professor and mentor. Tim Garrison, Southern gentleman and pre-law advisor (I changed my mind about law school, by the way). Jud Randall, Vanguard advisor, Karen Ledbetter, Counseling and Psychological Services, Dr. Thomasson of the Health Center, most of the Health Center nurses, Ken Ruoff, the Starbuck’s chicks, the guys who help me in the library, whomever bought the other elliptical machines for the Peter Stott Center’s circuit room, and most of all, the Vanguard.

There’s going to be plenty of stuff I don’t miss, but I’ve bitched about that stuff aplenty in these pages.

I also have suggestions for the future of PSU (besides completely abolishing University Studies). First of all, I hope the Portland Spectator hires a copy editor. Or at least gets a competent volunteer.

Secondly, I hope the Greek “system” gets its act together and starts looking like adults and not spoiled, over-privileged teenagers. It would help if the University would hire someone who knew how to deal with Greeks, and if the Greeks themselves would pay attention to their national organizations press and public relations guidelines. If you think I’m wrong, just read the responses to our fraternity articles.

And even though I don’t really care about student government, I hope that next year things run a little smoother. And I had a good time with Emily and Mary. Now that was an administration worth drinking with.

In general, I am going to miss the relative irresponsibility of college. I actually like to learn. You learn at work too, but it’s work. At least after college, I’ll be paid well to work. I’m hoping that in a year from now, graduate school will be as educational and entertaining.

What other time in your life do you have the opportunity to come to class hungover, make new friends based on weird interests like language, travel abroad in the name of education, actively engage yourself every day in intelligent conversation (and some fun stupid conversations as well)?

I’ve made friends in college I hope to keep for a long time. I know many of us will scatter in the four directions, but distance doesn’t erase the bonds formed by people who help each other through some adult situations you just didn’t have to face in high school. I take for granted the weddings I attend and the babies that are born, but they are important and meaningful events that do have some bearing in my life. We’re all walking the road together, even if we’re wearing different shoes.

At any rate, I am family member number three to graduate from Portland State. Peter John Richard, in 1968 with a degree in History, and Candice Emily Poland Richard, in 1969 with a degree in communication. To the roll we now add Rosemarie Magdalen Richard, 2003, History. It’s about damn time.