After four years of hard work, my daughter graduated from college this weekend. If I may be permitted to be a bragging dad, let me state that she did so with the highest of academic honors. Universities in America and Europe often confer upon graduating students with high grade point averages what is known as “Latin Honors” - in one of three levels: Cum Laude, meaning "with praise” (for students with a Grade Point Average of 3.5 to 3.74 out of a possible 4.0), Magna Cum Laude, meaning "with great praise" (for students with a GPA of 3.75-3.89), and Summa Cum Laude, meaning "with highest praise" (for students with a 3.9-4.0 GPA).
That having been said, my daughter, Andrea, graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace from Middle Tennessee State University. She was one of only 27 students out of a total of 1347 who graduated to receive such recognition. Needless to say, both her mother and I are very proud of her.
As she received her diploma, I could not help but think of the story I first heard a pastor tell from the pulpit over thirty years ago. He said he was graduating from college and the various students were being called up to the platform to receive their diplomas. The first student had his name called; and as he stepped up to the platform, it was announced that he was graduating “cum laude”.
The next student was called and they announced she was receiving her diploma “magna cum laude”. The third student heard his name and stepped up to the receive his degree “summa cum laude”.
At last, the young preacher’s name was called. As he stepped up to the platform, he was wondering if he would receive similar recognition. As he made his way to the podium, his question was answered. One of his professors shouted out passionately, “He’s graduating, Praise the Lawdy!”
Let me just say that her mother and I would have been proud of Andrea just for graduating, with or without honors. We praise the Lord for this monumental step in her life. And we hope and pray that this is only one of many milestones she will pass on the road of life.
That having been said, my daughter, Andrea, graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace from Middle Tennessee State University. She was one of only 27 students out of a total of 1347 who graduated to receive such recognition. Needless to say, both her mother and I are very proud of her.
As she received her diploma, I could not help but think of the story I first heard a pastor tell from the pulpit over thirty years ago. He said he was graduating from college and the various students were being called up to the platform to receive their diplomas. The first student had his name called; and as he stepped up to the platform, it was announced that he was graduating “cum laude”.
The next student was called and they announced she was receiving her diploma “magna cum laude”. The third student heard his name and stepped up to the receive his degree “summa cum laude”.
At last, the young preacher’s name was called. As he stepped up to the platform, he was wondering if he would receive similar recognition. As he made his way to the podium, his question was answered. One of his professors shouted out passionately, “He’s graduating, Praise the Lawdy!”
Let me just say that her mother and I would have been proud of Andrea just for graduating, with or without honors. We praise the Lord for this monumental step in her life. And we hope and pray that this is only one of many milestones she will pass on the road of life.