Copyright 2008 Valley News – May not be used or reprinted without permission

Dartmouth's graduation ceremony, while moving and momentous, was scorching hot. Three hours in the middle of the open green, sun beating down. I guess I can't complain too much since I wasn't dressed in a full length, black, polyester robe (although I was lugging all my gear!) The top photo really has nothing to do with graduation, except that this mother was trying to save seats, and having to hoard off other late-coming families. Something about this photo just represents what that day is like to people other than the graduates (i.e. parents that are will to stand in the blazing sun for hours BEFORE graduation even starts, all so they can get the best photo of their graduate.) Bottom photo is clearly your typical, celebratory grad shot...