My fellow university faculty, have you ever felt that your official commencement faculty marshal badge is just too pedestrian to command the respect it deserves?
Me too.
Luckily, it’s the kind of thing you can remedy. Observe:
For those of you muttering “Free-Ride has finally gone round the bend,” let me put a few more facts into evidence:
1. All the graduating students at commencement who commented on my badge embellishments were also quick to comply with the lining-up, filling-out-photo-cards, and marching instructions I issued. (And, since they didn’t look scared while so complying, I assume it’s because they respected my marshaling authority, not because they thought I was about to snap.)
2. Two full professors in my college (both male, if that matters to you) borrowed similarly embellished badges from me so they could step into the faculty marshaling fray. (Bringing extra credentials to commencement is always a good idea so you can deputize other faculty members on the spot.)
3. Neither of them have yet returned these embellished badges. I’m betting I’ll see them again next May.
(My better half, of course, insisted on referring to my spiffed-up faculty marshal badge as my “flair”. We’ll be meeting at Flingers for lunch to settle the matter.)
Did you catch any graduates furtively sparking uppe fatties? I have heard that sometimes that happens at college graduation, not that I would know personally.