Adam's Graduation Ceremony

What a momentous and proud day for us, Adam graduated from the University of Cambridge with a BA (Hons) and a MSci (Masters in Natural Science). It was a day of 800 year old traditions, the ceremony being conducted today as it was hundreds of years ago. As Adam said, it is remarkable to think that Isaac Newton went through exactly the same ceremony when he graduated all those hundreds of years ago!

We arrived at the college early this morning in time to get some photos and see the graduands all lined up for the group photo. It was a blazing hot day, 33C and the sunlight made photos very difficult. The official photographer chose to take the group shot into the sun, and no matter what settings I used on my camera I could not prevent the light from blowing out. They all then processed to Senate House where the ceremony was taking place, a long walk of about 25 minutes. They process in order of seniority of degree, Master of Maths first (blue silk hoods) followed by Masters of Engineering (brown silk hood), then Masters of Natural Science (pink silk hood) and finally the Bachelor of Arts students (white fur lined hoods). Parents and friends followed but we had to be seated before they came into the hall.

The ceremony was conducted entirely in Latin and has some very peculiar traditions. Four graduands at a time are presented to the Praelector who holds out his hand and they have to each hold a finger while he presents them to the Master of the college. They individually then approach the dais where the Master is sitting, kneel before her and she clasps their hands between hers while she confers their degree upon them. They get up, bow and walk out. No photos were allowed at the ceremony at all, but when we went outside onto the lawn in front of the building afterwards we could take photos. I took many group shots of Adam's friends and it was very tricky in the harsh sunlight, I was desperately looking for a patch of shade but there was not much of it.

There was a buffet lunch back at the college but we chose to have our own family lunch in town. After lunch Gavin and I left to come home, as did Thomas, but Luke and Meriel have stayed as they have a 21st party there tonight. I edited some photos in the car on the way home and then uploaded them because as soon as we got home we had to freshen up, change and go off to the school biennial Summer Ball. It is so scorching hot that I could not find anything cool enough to wear!

It has been a very busy day but such a wonderful day. One down and one more to go .... Luke graduates on Tuesday! Adam is continuing with his studies so this won't be the last graduation ceremony we experience at Cambridge.