May is graduation month and, this year, was especially meaningful for us. Granddaughter Sosie graduated from George Washington University in Washington, D.C., on May 15, and Chloe Garcia, one of our Bowdoin host family students, graduated from Bowdoin on May 23.

GWU celebrates several smaller graduations by college before the all-university graduation the next day. Sosie had a double major in international relations and psychology, so we attended the international relations event, which featured 500 students, including some who had earned masters or doctorate degrees.

The event was held in the basketball arena: a jumbotron flashed the graduate’s name as he or she was receiving a diploma. As families do, ours cheered loudly when Sosie crossed the stage.

The commencement speaker’s address was truly inspiring. David Holt, who had graduated from GWU, is the mayor of Oklahoma City and the president of the United States Conference of Mayors. A Native American, he shared his own sometimes-rocky years as a student and suggested that the path forward for the graduates will take many turns.

A Republican in a deep-red state, Holt doesn’t fit the typical mold. He champions gay rights and women’s rights, he lauds the contributions of immigrants and the values of diversity. He’s concerned about the homeless. When he said that the United States should be a good global citizen and maintain solid relations with our allies, I wanted to clap. Then someone in the audience did clap, and the arena erupted in loud applause. Keep your eyes on David Holt; I foresee a bright future for him on the national scene.

The Bowdoin commencement was held on the quad in front of the Museum of Art. I marched along with other alumni during the procession, always a highlight. The student speeches stressed the values of community as well as the magic of Maine. We sat with Chloe Garcia’s family and, yes, cheered loudly when she crossed the stage. Incidentally, the college took the time to pay special tribute to a student who had made a positive impact on campus, although he had died during his year.

For me, the baccalaureate ceremony the afternoon before the commencement was noteworthy. Bowdoin President Safa Zaki said that Nathaniel Hawthorne, author of “The Scarlet Letter” and one of Bowdoin’s most famous graduates, did not exactly shine during his Bowdoin years. She said that Bowdoin students were well prepared to deal with the uncertainties they faced.

Kasai Li, the Bowdoin senior selected to speak at baccalaureate, recounted his unusual start at Bowdoin. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor after he had been on campus only three weeks into his first year. A skilled surgeon (a Bowdoin graduate) combined with tremendous support from the entire Bowdoin community got him through the frightening ordeal. The huge crowd at the Watson Arena gave Kasai a standing ovation.

George Washington University and Bowdoin College are two very different institutions, but there were parallels between the two ceremonies. The weather was perfect at both events. Working towards the common good was a common theme. The students shared tearful hugs and goodbyes with their good friends after getting their diplomas. Location shapes the character and culture of both places: GWU in the heart of the nation’s capital and Bowdoin in Maine along the coast.

And what about the future for our two special graduates? Sosie, who graduated summa cum laude, is earning her certification to teach pilates. She eventually plans to get her Ph.D. and become a sports psychologist. Chloe, who graduated with honors in neuroscience, will spend two years working in a hospital near her home of Bakersfield, California, while she studies for the MCATs (Medical College Admissions Tests) and goes through the long process of applying to medical schools.

I know that these two smart, strong, independent women will do well in the future. And they know that Tina and I will be cheering them along every step of the way.

David Treadwell, a Brunswick writer, welcomes commentary and suggestions for future “Just a Little Old” columns at [email protected].

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