The photos arrived today of yours truly, Dr. Ruth, and Paul McCartney. Here we have streaming video of Sir Paul receiving his degree.
At 1.12:29 I am rushing into the Old Campus behind the Ezra Stiles black and yellow flag and I am wearing sunglasses — just in front of me was the former Dean wearing a beret. We are at the far left. Sir Paul, who had been behind us in line had now moved ahead to the grandstand.
At 1.15 the Doctor of Law honorary degree was presented. You’ll notice that there is no music.
At 1:15:47 on the counter, the honorary Doctorate in Music is announced. Now the music starts quietly, and with Tom Duffy leading the Yale Precision Marching Band, we begin to hear the sounds of “Hey Jude” amid the cheers.
Commencement with Paul I remember when my sister and brother-in-law named their son Jude. And when I heard the music, I of course … nostalgia.
But almost simultaneously, Jeremy and Joshua, my sons, called me. My sons were pretty much raised on the Ezra Stiles campus. Since I was sitting next to the women who was Dean at that time, Dean Rita Lipson, hearing from my sons, and thinking of my nephew Jude, I felt as if I was in the midst of family.
Promise when the computer guru arrives on Friday, he will get the photographs up of Rita, Dr. Ruth, and Sir Paul. Just seeing Dr. Ruth’s apparent laughter will bring a smile to your face.
Copyright 2008 Rita Watson