Joe and I are proud parents!

This past weekend our son Kurt graduated with his MBA from Belmont University—where my husband is Associate Dean of the Massey School of Business, and where both of our children did their undergrad, and where the Belmont Mansion is located…we really are a Belmont family! My dad, who’s the last of Joe’s and my parents still with us on earth, came from Atlanta with his dear wife Esta to share this milestone with us.

We had such a wonderful time! We attended the hooding on Thursday evening followed by graduation on Friday evening.

With Joe, Kelsey, Kurt, Dad and Esta following the hooding

What is a hooding, you might ask?

“The pageantry of commencement has its roots in medieval times, dating to the early tradition of Europe’s first universities. Origins of academic attire are obscured in history, but it is likely that the scholar’s distinctive dress was based on modifications of ecclesiastical costumes of the times. In 1895, the United States set for its universities a uniform academic costume code, which is reflected in most of the regalia worn today. 

Gown designs represent the levels of academic degrees. The master’s gown has sleeves with a slit to allow the arm to emerge at the elbow of the gown. The tassel color for our master’s degree students is black. Color is allowed to break through in the hood. The outer binding of the master’s and doctoral hoods represents the field of study in which the degree was received.” (Thank you to Dr. Tossey at Salisbury)

So it’s no wonder that when a friend saw the picture above on Facebook that he commented (jokingly), “So when did Joe become an Ecclesiastical priest?” : )

 

Each MBA student gets to ask two professors to hood him. Kurt asked Joe (a good thing!) and also Dr. Marieta Velikova, Associate Professor of Economics originally from Siberia. Marieta was also our commencement speaker at graduation, and she delivered a most memorable and moving message about embracing change and daring to dream.

 

I’m especially grateful my dad and his wife Esta could join us.

 

With Kurt and Joe following graduation

 

So proud of both of these kids. Just as Kurt finishes his MBA, Kelsey begins hers in January. Here we go again!

 

So what did you do this past weekend? And have you or any loved ones reached any milestones recently?

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, dear friends, and praying for 2017 as it swiftly approaches!

Tammy

 

Look who made the 2017 Australian Terrier Calendar

Here’s Murphy parked by the hose this past summer waiting to be squirted!

A special thank you to Marilyn Harban,
the breeder from whom we purchased sweet Murphy,
for submitting his picture for consideration for the calendar.
How fun that they chose it!