Graduation Day Photos

                                     

Here are the 2008 graduates of the UNC School of Pharmacy in front of Memorial Hall where the ceremony took place. Steven and Vi are in the third row back, to the left... you can see them, can't you?

                                                                    

There they are! Steven points me out to Vi, and she waves. Hi guys!! They found me in that crowd of photographers! It was an amazing day, and the graduates were arranged before the ceremony so that parents could get their group shot. I am so glad they did that for us... well, there was a professional photographer there too, but I'm sure it was for us, the proud parents, and other family members.

                                                      

We met before the ceremony to get pictures of them in their regalia, or academic robe. Their regalia features olive green velvet stripes to denote pharmaceutical studies. The satin lining is Carolina Blue, of course! Steven is wearing a green and gold cord to show his membership in the Phi Lambda Sigma Pharmacy Leadership Society, and Vi is wearing the purple and white cord for her membership with the Rho Chi Pharmacy Honor Society. She was also recognized with Highest Distinction, having a perfect 4.0 GPA. We are proud of both of these kids, who are now Doctors of Pharmacy.

Inside the building, I filmed the ceremony using the video feature of my camera, but am not going to post it here because we were so far away that you wouldn't see much of anyone on stage, and the shiny pate of the dad who sat in front of us sort of distracts.

                                 

The wind whipped my hair about, but we couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day temperature-wise. I had a good shot of the three of us with Steven in his grad regalia, but it wasn't a good shot of my hair blowing every which way, and vain as I am, I opted to post this one instead.

                                   

Here are Vi's family and Steven's altogether for a family group shot. Vi is going to do her residency in Richmond, Virginia and Steven will be doing his in Baltimore, Maryland. Steve and I enjoyed spending the day with them all.

Steven and Vi, we are proud of you both... here is that prayer I read at the dinner yesterday. Lest you think I authored it completely, I will have to give credit to Joanna Fuchs for the bulk of it... I only altered it to make it apply to your special day.

Dear Lord,

We thank you for this wonderful day

As we gather together to honor two of our children.

You have blessed them with intelligence, good health,

many friends, guiding teachers, and supportive families.

For this we thank you, Father.

Continue to bless Steven and Vi
as they go out into the world
to make it a better place,
while they pursue their dreams.

Gently guide them, lead them,
show them Your way to success and happiness
through service to others,
as they maximize their own potential as Pharmacists,

and members of their community.

Fill them with joy when they reach their assigned hospitals.
Strengthen them, as they deal with the challenges
they will face during their year or years of residency there.
Give them patience and persistence
to pursue whatever plans they make for their future.

Most of all, give them caring hearts
to look for ways to help the people they meet
on their life's journey.
Encourage them and lift them up now,
as they spread their Pharmacist ‘wings’
into a clear sky of limitless opportunity.

Let them and their fellow graduates
be wrapped in the warmth of Your infinite love,
and let Your wisdom show them the way
to make the most of their lives.

In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

                                        Original poem by Joanna Fuchs, with personal alterations by Bea Gilmore

 

                                                    Joanna Fuchs at http://www.poemsource.com/

Thanks to Joanna for letting me borrow her prayer/poem and alter it in the manner I have done. She has a great website if you need a poem for just about any occasion. Be sure to click on her link above to visit her website.

 

 

Tags: Pharmacy school graduation, UNC Pharmacy School, 2008 graduation