GRADUATION DAY

GRADUATION DAY.
Saturday, December 12, 2009. Today is a big day! Two of my grandsons are graduating! I am very proud to be their grandfather.
Mary and Greg picked me up this morning at Quail Creek, and gave me a ride to the Napa Valley College, where their son, and my grandson, Daniel, was graduating, with the 76th Basic Police Academy Class. Daniel had previously graduated from the University of California - Sacramento, majoring in Criminal Justice. The Police Academy was an extension of his University training. The course was a very demanding “hands on” training. Their discipline reminded me of my Boot Camp. To give you an idea of how rigorous the 22 week course was (880 training hours), the class started on July 11 with 54 cadets. Today, there are only 34 graduating - three of them women! Their ages ran from 20-40, with various backgrounds. The Cadets’ achievement was all the more commendable, when I think of the $6500 tuition fee each of them had to pay. Police Departments used to sponsor the cadets. But, with tight- Public Safety funding in this “Recession” economy, that has stopped.
The graduation ceremony was very impressive. The Dunvegan Pipe Band played, as they led the graduation procession. The Napa Sheriff Honor guard presented the Colors. After the singing of the National Anthem, there was a Moment of Silence to honor all of the Law Enforcement Officers killed doing their job!
Jim Nelson, Class 76 Recruit Training Officer, Addressed the graduates. I remember one of his key points. He said that water at 211 degrees is very hot water, but if you add one more degree it becomes steam. He was illustrating how a little bit of extra effort can make a big difference
Before the Cadets received their certificates, all 34 of the class recited the "Law Enforcement Code Of Ethics" in unison! They spoke with one voice. The "Code" wasn't simple. It covered the 5 by 8 inch back page of the program!
Mary and Greg dropped me off, back at Quail Creed, for lunch and a short respite. Then, Sue and Tom picked me up to attend Jason Torres graduation in Stockton. Jason is Mary and Greg’s son, and the brother of Daniel.. We headed for Stockton about 60 miles to the East for the 4 o’clock ceremony.
Jason graduated from De Vry College in Sacramento, and received his Bachelors degree in Business. After a short work experience, Jason enrolled in the MBA program at the University of the Pacific in Stockton. There were 26 Eberhardt MBA graduates - many of them young women.
Dr. Cynthia Eakin, Associate Dean for Graduate Programs welcomed us. The MBA Student Speaker was Amanda Marchini.
The MBA Staff honored the graduates, and their families, with a very nice dinner at the DeRosa University Center. The building was very nice and inviting. After a great dinner, they presented a video on the big screen of Joe Johnson, one of the school’s retired professors. He couldn’t make the graduation ceremony, and dinner, because he was vacationing in Hawaii!
I was very impressed with some of his remarks, and made a few notes. As I listened to him talk, I had the feeling of what a great experience if I had him for one of my college courses. He inspired me so much that I wished that I had pursued my Master’s degree. I did start the program with six Management units at Cal Berkeley, while I was working at U.S. Steel Company. I decided that I couldn’t continue working, going to school which included commuting from Antioch to Berkeley, and still fulfill my duties as a husband and father. I made the right decision at the time.
I jotted down some of Joe’s remarks:
“Work should be rewarding, including financially and pleasurable. If you are working for an unbearable boss, that you can’t tolerate, then leave. He calls this the “Piss-off” factor. You should always be prepared to go to work. You never know when you will be asked to do something important. When you are given an opportunity, make sure that you show up, and do it well. Be honest and true to yourself. If you don’t know the answer, find out. Earn the right to play. Play a leadership role. You are valued for what you do - not for what you say.”
It must have been rewarding for Daniel and Jason to have so many of their family and friends in attendance, supporting and honoring them.
At the end of the evening, I was tired. Or, as my Mother used to say - “A good tired”. But, my pride, and inspiration, made it all worthwhile.
RCL - 12/21/09.