Graduation

At the Congregation of the Regent House on June 27th 1998, I was admitted to the degree of Bachelor of Arts (Baccalaureus in Artibus). The BA hood is black cloth lined with white fur (now usually synthetic).

The studio shot (turn the contrast up on your monitor).	The actual moment.	Me and my friends wearing our hoods.

The Rite (summarized)

We walk in procession from college to the Senate House, the college Praelector leading the way. Traffic stops for us. At the Senate House we are greeted by the Proctors and Bedells of the University.

Senior Proctor

Supplicant reverentiis vestris viri mulieresque Emmanuelis quorum nomina juxta senaculum in porticu proposuit hodie Registrarius nec delevit Procancellarius ut gradum quisque rite petivit assequatur.
("Here they are.")

Praelector

Dignissime Domine Procancellarie et tota Academia, praesento vobis hos viros et has mulieres quod scio tam moribus quam doctrina esse idoneos ad gradum assequendam Baccalaurei in Artibus; idque tibi fide mea praesto totique Academiae.
("They've been good and they passed their exams.")

We kneel one by one in front of the Vice-Chancellor's Deputy.

Vice-Chancellor's Deputy

Auctoritate mihi commissa admitto te ad gradum Baccalaurei in Artibus, in nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti.
("Here you go.")

And when we're done.

Esquire Bedell

Magistri! ("Hey!")

All stand up.

Vice-Chancellor's Deputy

Nos dissolvimus hanc Congregationem.
("That's all folks.")