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Post by Crucis#1 on May 22, 2021 4:22:38 GMT -5
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Post by hchoops on May 22, 2021 7:46:09 GMT -5
Paywall
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Post by Crucis#1 on May 22, 2021 8:37:57 GMT -5
To see the commencement pictures, take a look at the photo galleries in the link below. As you scroll through, you will see the new video board in operation during the ceremony. The HC Web Site is well documented with an array of pictures, videos and stories regarding all of the baccalaureate ceremonies, including today’s ROTC ceremony scheduled for this morning at 10:00 AM. The Class of 2020, honorary degree ceremony is virtual and will be presented at 11:00 AM this morning. news.holycross.edu/blog/2021/05/21/holy-cross-celebrates-175th-commencement/www.holycross.edu/commencement/commencement-archives/commencement-2021Regarding, the paywall, I am having an issue providing the article. Best bet, register on the Telegram site, and you can view five article free per month.
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Post by CHC8485 on May 22, 2021 8:50:03 GMT -5
Regarding, the paywall, I am having an issue providing the article. Best bet, register on the Telegram site, and you can view five article free per month. Hover over the link Click right button on your mouse. Select "Open in Incognito Window" or "Open in Private Window" depending on your browser.
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Post by hchoops on May 22, 2021 9:08:14 GMT -5
Thank you, Crucis Video board looks fine
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Post by Crucis#1 on May 22, 2021 9:13:36 GMT -5
If you are interested, the Commissioning Ceremony is now occurring, Andrew Card, President George W Bush, Chief of Staff is the Speaker.
It is a very impressive ceremony.
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Post by Bleed Purple on Jun 10, 2021 18:44:31 GMT -5
Loved seeing commencement back at Fitton. Does anyone know if future commencements will also be held at Fitton? My daughter is a rising senior and I would so prefer to see her graduate on campus at Fitton vs the less intimate/meaningful DCU Center.
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Post by Crucis#1 on Jun 10, 2021 20:28:42 GMT -5
I have heard that future commencements will be back at the DCU.
There is strong sentiment by many, particularly HC graduates who desire to have their child follow in the same footsteps for the baccalaureate and commencement ceremonies. The feeling for nostalgia, for a graduation ceremony on campus is understandable.
However, there are strong, compelling and logical reasons for the commencement to now be held at the DCU.
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Post by timholycross on Jun 11, 2021 7:01:40 GMT -5
Besides weather-related concerns?
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Post by Crucis#1 on Jun 11, 2021 10:46:22 GMT -5
* Unlimited seating for parents and grandparents, guest, in the event of inclement weather. With the DCU as the venue, they are able to sit in the actual room for the ceremony, not in a auxiliary facility watching a video link.
* ADA access to fully view the ceremonies. Those who are in wheelchairs or walkers, can navigate the ramps in the DCU. Fitton is extremely difficult for those with mobility issues..
* Chairback seating for all.
* Climate control temperature, especially for the elderly.
* A secure location for possible high profile honorees. With Fitton Field location directly next to 290, the perimeter cannot be locked down, short of closing the highway.
The most important reason I can think of is security for high level VIP commencement speakers. In the current political environment, with Fitton being next to 290, can you imagine trying to ensure protection for someone like LBJ. There was no 290 when he spoke in 1964. In 1985, Wilson Goode was one of the honorees. It occurred shortly after the Move incident in Philadelphia. There was a least one airplane flying overhead at Fitton protesting him receiving an honorary degree. Trying to secure both the airspace and traffic from 290 will be a real headache when a well known public figure, gives the commencement address.
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Post by hc89 on Jun 11, 2021 11:21:19 GMT -5
Here’s one vote for keeping it at Fitton Field. This year’s baccalaureate and commencement ceremonies were spectacular (albeit a bit warm) in that setting. And yes, for my wife and I (both HC alums) it WAS extra special for us to have a child graduated from HC in the same setting that we enjoyed way back when. And being ON campus beforehand and afterwards added much to the pomp and circumstance of the entire two days. Keep it ON campus!!!
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Jun 11, 2021 12:26:34 GMT -5
Tradition!
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Post by alum on Jun 11, 2021 12:34:15 GMT -5
Here’s one vote for keeping it at Fitton Field. This year’s baccalaureate and commencement ceremonies were spectacular (albeit a bit warm) in that setting. And yes, for my wife and I (both HC alums) it WAS extra special for us to have a child graduated from HC in the same setting that we enjoyed way back when. And being ON campus beforehand and afterwards added much to the pomp and circumstance of the entire two days. Keep it ON campus!!! I understand all of the reasons why they want to graduate in downtown Worcester and they all make perfect sense. If there was an indoor on campus facility where each graduate could bring a half dozen guests, I would think that was a fair compromise. Short of that, why not try to do a better job accommodating disabilities in Fitton? How about setting up an air conditioned tent on the baseball field to accommodate the elderly? Has anyone ever tried to see if the DCU could be put on a standby status. Pay half of the fee and only use it if the weather is bad. Let's be creative.
I am with 89 about the before and after activities on campus being a big part of the day.
If a President comes in a few years, they can move it to the DCU for that one year so that the Secret Service can keep her safe.
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Post by rgs318 on Jun 11, 2021 12:42:07 GMT -5
"keep her safe"...cute how you slipped that one in.
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Post by mm67 on Jun 11, 2021 13:33:04 GMT -5
Fitton Field with the Hart and covered court as back-up in case of predicted bad weather. Ceremony on the court, family & friends in the stands. Hart seats 4,000. Save the expense of renting DCU and gives the school the option of Fitton or Indoors. There must be a floor covering which could be used or have a socks only rule.HA!!!
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Jun 11, 2021 16:05:22 GMT -5
When designing the Luth field house, they sized the exits for a gathering of 6500, and is fully ADA compliant. __________ Another reason for the DCU is the ability to hold a post-commencement reception in the convention center. That is something HC cannot do on campus for 5,000 people.
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Post by Bleed Purple on Jun 11, 2021 16:15:27 GMT -5
All the reasons for the DCU are rational. That said, I don't think you will find one graduate in the class of 2021 who would have preferred to have graduated at the DCU. Give the people what they want.
Who decides where commencement is held? Who do I have to write? Presidential decision?
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Jun 11, 2021 16:50:16 GMT -5
All the reasons for the DCU are rational. That said, I don't think you will find one graduate in the class of 2021 who would have preferred to have graduated at the DCU. Give the people what they want. Who decides where commencement is held? Who do I have to write? Presidential decision? The senior class leaders of the class of 2022 should take the initiative. If the great majority of the class, knowing of the pros and cons of the DCU and Fitton, want the commencement to be at Fitton, they should take that preference to TPTB. I'm quite certain that HC doesn't want to piss off a graduating class, because each graduating class becomes a donor class down the road. But they need to act quickly, before HC puts earnest money down securing the DCU for date x. It was moved to the DCU because of construction on the Upper Campus, and the loss of parking spaces. The lack of close parking to Fitton is, and continues to be a negative.
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Post by Bleed Purple on Jun 11, 2021 17:14:22 GMT -5
Thanks PP. I'll let my daughter know. Hopefully she will feel strongly enough about this to reach out to her class president and begin discussions.
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Post by Crucis#1 on Jun 11, 2021 18:43:49 GMT -5
I have seen the negative opinions regarding the use of the DCU. Other than one person on this board, whose children’s graduation was at the DCU, I wonder how many have actually attended a HC graduation at the DCU.
At first I was skeptical regarding the move to off campus. But after attending the last graduation at the DCU, I came away convinced, that it was the correct decision based on the points I previously outlined.
Also as PP noted, the reception for the families and new Alums, following the graduation ceremony is in the adjoining convention center. A few steps away, in a climate control environment. Afterwards, I returned to campus, and my HC classmates who could travel to Worcester celebrated a memorial mass for our deceased classmates with a fellow classmate who was an honorary degree recipient that day.
Over a decade ago, I attended my daughters’s college graduation that occurred in California in an outdoor stadium that was a gigantic reflecting pan. The sun was intense, and while I was wearing a long sleeve shirt and a straw hat, my hands did get sunburnt, with my skin peeling several days later. Several years later, I had a colleague, whose daughter was graduating from Marist College. I watched the video stream of the event. I really felt badly for his family as the event was held outdoors in the pouring rain with at times torrential downpours. Due to Covid, HC would have held this year’s ceremony outside regardless of weather. A secondary venue on campus, such as the IPF, was not an option.
Many do not like change, especially one that has been seen as traditional. I understand the sentiment. However before you grouse about the venue and it being appropriate, you should attend next year’s graduation at the DCU. You may find it far more comfortable than sitting on the metal bleachers in intense sun, or pouring rain.
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Post by Bleed Purple on Jun 11, 2021 20:00:48 GMT -5
To each his own. I can understand that for some the comforts of holding graduation in a tired arena a couple of miles off campus is preferred. Seat backs and air conditioning trump aesthetics and tradition. For others, tradition and aesthetics trump seat backs and air conditioning. Each position is defensible. Maybe it would be a good idea to conduct a poll among the senior class early in each academic year to allow them to choose which venue they would prefer?
Regarding the security concerns at Fitton, when was the last time we had a really high profile commencement speaker that would require extraordinary security?
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Post by Crucis#1 on Jun 11, 2021 20:26:44 GMT -5
Recently we have had two Highly placed officials as the Commencement Speakers. In 2016, an Alum, who was an active US Ambassador. This year’s commencement speaker is the current US Ambassador to the United Nations. Her appearance was not in person, but delivered via the new video board at Fitton Field.
I can think of several honorees, from the past, that would have warranted a secure perimeter, that would be difficult achieve at Fitton. For example Security requirements for many corporate CEO’s is extremely tight. The best security for those folks is what you do not see.
Ever hear the story about Fr. K’s secret trip to Cavendish VT to escort an honoree back to campus? When Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn receive an honorary degree, it was a surprise to all but a few people before hand due to his security requirements.
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Post by bringbackcaro on Jun 11, 2021 20:57:58 GMT -5
If I was a Senior, I would rather graduate at Fitton or the Hart Center without a speaker than go to the DCU Center just to hear some D- or F-List speaker with zero connection to HC give the commencement speech.
If HC was actually bringing in A-list speakers and there were legitimate concerns about a sniper attack from 290, maybe we could put the DCU on the table.
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Post by longsuffering on Jun 11, 2021 22:28:01 GMT -5
The solution is to get a speaker on the way up who doesn't need security now. And hope the HC graduation gig isn't his/her peak.
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Post by sader1970 on Jun 12, 2021 4:38:46 GMT -5
The national news outlets like NBC just did a bit about inspiring words for 2021 college graduates by commencement speakers and seems to be an annual story. These spots show famous speakers across the country and HC was not among the speakers and, truth be told, I can’t recall the last time an HC commencement speaker made national news.
Not sure if HC no longer has the clout to get famous speakers or simply the case that HC marches to the beat of a different drummer when it comes to selecting speakers.
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