Comments on: The Stories Behind Graduation Traditions

By: WooHoo

WooHoo — Wed, 13 May 2009 19:50:00 +0000

It’s W&L, not VMI that give out the sheepskin. However, like the class rings at VMI, their diplomas are HUGE! I had to but a special frame for my husband’s… (think poster-size)

By: Bert

Bert — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:11:00 +0000

Oooooohhhhh yeeeeeah!

By: Ms. B

Ms. B — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:35:00 +0000

VMI (Virginia Military Institute) gave out sheepskin diplomas; I’m not sure if they still do. For at least one graduating class in the 60’s, the ink from the pen used to sign the diplomas was eventually absorbed into the sheepskin. Looks like the diplomas weren’t signed.

By: mri

mri — Wed, 13 May 2009 13:42:00 +0000

some schools still give out sheepskin diplomas. Washington and Lee is one (my alma mater) but they will provide a “vegetarian” alternative on request.

By: Gollum

Gollum — Wed, 13 May 2009 03:50:00 +0000

I think most Shakesperean scholars would argue that “handsaw” stands for “heronshaw” or young heron. Hsmlet was smart enough to be able to distinguish a raptor from its prey.

Hawking was an upper-class sport. I doubt if a royal prince would have known technical terms from the building trade.

By: Sarah in CA

Sarah in CA — Wed, 13 May 2009 02:19:00 +0000

Here in Merced, the new university got Michelle Obama for the commencement address, which takes place this Saturday.

The event is a big deal for the school not only because of the speaker but because the graduating class is the first one that has students that started there as freshman. It has been open for a few years and offering classes through the community college and other locations so they have had graduations before but none where the students started there.

They are expecting like 25,000 people for the event and I am worried about how that will effect the city, it’s not very big. Yikes!

By: patti poole

patti poole — Tue, 12 May 2009 23:42:00 +0000

I actually have my grandfather’s sheepskin diploma!!