CONVOCATION ON A HISTORICAL SHIP

LINK TO CONVOCATION PHOTOS

When Noel Armstrong returned after walking on the Moon, the capsule carrying him landed on the Atlantic Ocean, which was rescued by US Navy Ship USS HORNET. The Ship USS Hornet is converted to a museum and stationed in the San Francisco Bay in the city of Alameda.  The ship's docking hall which was previously used to dock fighter aircrafts is now converted to a big auditorium. This ship was chosen as the venue by Golden Gate University of California for their annual convocation 2009. 

Aparna graduated with a MBA degree after 3 long years of hard work and dedication. She is a honors student and was awarded a special hood along with regalia. Shyam and Aparna are a part of our extended family here in the US. We were honored to be at that occasion.

About 500 graduating students and about 2500 guests were seated in a very big auditorium. The events on stage were screened on four giant TV screens. We were able to see everything that happened on the stage. All students walked across the stage to receive their diploma. When Aparna walked across the stage we were excited to see her receive her degree.

New Graduates of various ethnic groups were seated with Black gowns (gowns were used from the 12th century during convocations), Square caps (symbolize books) and Hoods (different colors indicate different departments). Black gowns, square caps, colored velvet hoods are the universal dress code for any convocation.

I remembered my convocation in early sixties at Madras University with same black gown, square hat, and yellow hood. My aged mother whom I took to witness the convocation wept when she saw me in convocation dress. It was an unforgettable incident.

The USS Hornet was an aircraft Carrier Navy Ship. Many Aircrafts like Avenge Retriever, Crusader, Tracker etc were parked on the flight deck of this ship. According to history this ship had lost 250 pilots and crewmen during the 2nd world war. The USS Hornet was the recovery ship for Apollo 11 and Apollo 12.  Astronauts stepped on this ship from the capsule and Armstrong walked on this ship. His foot prints have been marked and preserved.

The museum is in the lower deck and we have to go down using steep narrow ladders. In the museum we can see the personal utility rooms of the Navy Crew, Conference rooms, bed rooms, rest rooms, kitchen, dining halls, library, store room for uniforms, soda making machines etc. It would take one complete day to see the ship entirely.

The convocation ceremony which began at 10 am came to an end at 1 pm. Everywhere parents and relatives were celebrating the achievement of the new graduates. In US convocations are very important events and are attended by family and friends.

Wide varieties of food were lavishly served for the guests. There were many counters serving soft drinks, champagne, shrimp cocktail, smoked salmon, raw salmon with cream cheese, stuffed mushrooms, satay chicken/pork  and Chinese noodles. 

When Aravind graduated last year with MS and MBA degree, I did not have an opportunity to witness it, but this occassion has fullfilled my desire.