Graduation!!

I took a whirlwind trip to Uganda for graduation, and what a trip it was!  I also went to be interviewed by the University Selection Committee to work at the University.  While I knew this would be a fast trip, I thought the days would be relaxing.  Silly me.


The first flight was delayed because of air traffic congestion over New York.  The second flight was delayed due to the air traffic controller strike in Greece - we had to wait for them to return to work.  With all that's been going on in Greece, I never would have thought that they'd interfere with our travel.  Who knew?


I arrived at school midnight on Tuesday, and the interview was at 9:30 on Wednesday 29 June.  Well, they began at 9:30.  I hung out in the chapel with the other interviewees until I was called in around 1.  The interview went very well.  They interviewed me for "administrative support," not lecturer.  I'm still not very sure about what went into that decision, but I'll be helping out the school with technology-type stuff, liaising with the publishing companies that send books to students at the seminary (inherited from Rosie Button, another missionary), helping students with their English, and other duties as assigned.  My ego is still coping with not having the lecturer title, though I hope that I'll be moved into that role gradually.


Had lunch with friends, then I had to go to Accounts to get my balance (=refund).  Spent some time bouncing between offices, but ultimately had to return on Thursday.  I visited with more friends in the late afternoon, then it was time for bed.  Thankfully.


Thursday morning was chapel, then something in the morning that escapes me, then rushing to Accounts before the Commissioning Service (like a baccalaureate).  I forgot that this was going to happen.  Fortunately, the chaplain asked me to take a reading, because then I got to sit on the stage.  For the three-hour service.  Despite its length, it was a lovely service with Eucharist, and the time passed quickly.  Then supper with the Provost of the cathedral, then it was time for bed.  Thankfully.


Friday morning we were to report to the field at 8:00 so we could go through the metal detectors, then find our seats in the tents.  Someone had placed our names on the chairs so we knew where to sit.  Since there were in excess of 1,000 of us, I pity that team.


Graduation was a lovely affair, with the deans of the respective schools reading the names of their graduands. We had been given "Graduand" nametags as part of our graduation packet (mortarboard, gown, hood, invitations, nametag), and we whipped them off as soon as the Archbishop conferred our degrees.


That was actually fairly surreal - when our names were read, we walked up, and assembled before the Archbishop, Vice Chancellors, and other VIPs.  Those naturally included a half-dozen bishops, several of whom I knew, such as Bishop Muhima.  My name was the fourth one read, so I had a few minutes to search the faces and surreptitiously wave to the people I knew.  The we marched off stage right.


The video below is from Agatha, whom I had charged with taking both still pictures and video.  She did swimmingly, especially since she was doubly charged.

Then we all traipsed to our respective faculties to get our degrees and transcripts.  Apparently this is fairly rare in Uganda if not in Africa:  I have a friend who graduated from Makerere University, the top school in the country, and he's been trying to get his transcripts for months.  Combined with the bachelor students, there were about 60 of us trying to get our folders from poor Gertrude.  I cannot imagine how it went for the larger faculties, like social work or law.  That makes me shudder.

Then it was off to the international theologians luncheon.  Due to all the traipsing it started late, and since I had to leave for the airport at 5, I didn't get to stay terribly long.  Note to self:  when traveling for a major event, do not flit in and out quickly.


Despite all that, I'm so glad I went.  I wouldn't have missed it for the world.