The Class of 2011
Forgive me this self-indulgence, everyone. It does not happen often.
On Tuesday, May 17, my daughter graduated from Barnard College, which for those who don’t know is the women’s liberal arts college at Columbia University in New York City. She graduated with a B.A. degree in Political Science. She wants a career in journalism, and she is getting a good start: She was hired by the New York Times as a paid intern for the summer. If there is an opening there when the internship is over, perhaps they will offer her a full-time job. But even if they don’t, that’s a hell of a first job to put on a resume. After a 10-day training period (which began yesterday), her dad and I will get to have her at home for three days before she starts work at the Times.
How hard she has worked, how strong she is, how smart, how determined and focused, and how much she cares about the world and making a difference, fills me with a kind of awe I can’t express, because I don’t know where it comes from. It’s as if she came into the world with this light already inside her, and as long as her dad and I didn’t mess it up completely, that light was going to shine one day. And I get to say that she is MY child. I am her mother.
The graduating senior. The man behind her on the left is her closest friend's father.
17 Responses to “The Class of 2011”
I know where it comes from.
Big hugs and congrats to the new grad!
Oh god, Roro. You just made me cry. Thank you.
Kathy
Kathy:
No self-indulgence whatsoever, just the legitimate pride and joy of a deservingly happy and grateful mother.
I wish her every success, and I hope that one day in the not-too-distant-future she’ll be the Editor of the Editorial Page at the Times, so that I can finally get my Op-Ed published there.
My most sincere congratulations to Mother, Father and Daughter
Dorian
This is wonderful, Kathy. What a day for her…and you. Wow, the NYT. That’s really something! I’m so happy for you, and most especially for her.
May she always thrive on the strength of spirit that her mother teaches us all every day.
“because I don’t know where it comes from.”
I am not the only reader who knows where it came from.
I do not know her dad, but I do know that her mom is one smart lady.
Congrats to the grad and to her parents.
Thank you, tidbits, and Dorian.
OAE Chief,
Congratulations! You must be very proud. Thanks for sharing.
Congrats to you and your daughter!
AHh… you just made my morning
Congratz!!!!!!!!!!
NYT!! What a great start. I’m so happy for both of you.
Congratulations to your daughter and to you and your husband, Kathy.
Our second son will receive his Master’s degree in English at the beginning of June. He won’t start at the Times — what an opportunity! — but, like your daughter, he cares and wants to make a difference.
As the old Rogers and Hammerstein song says, you “must have done something good.”
From my experience, when hiring is a rare luxury (as in the case of newspapers in this economy), internships provide an opportunity to hire not only the best and the brightest, it allows you to find people who can help you in the real world. Apparently this young lady passes both tests.
Congrats!
kathy
be sure to check for any buttons you may have popped off at the ceremony. the very best to you and your new graduate.
dave
Congratulations to you and your daughter, Kathy.
Congratulations to you and your daughter. That is quite an accomplishment.
Thank you to all.
Owen,
Congratulations to your son, too! Having some knowledge of his father’s world outlook, I am not surprised your son wants to make a difference.
D.R. Welch,
Good point about internships. In my daughter’s case, she has gone this route before. She did a paid internship for two summers at the Bergen Record/Passaic Herald News in NJ (they’re owned by the same company).
Kathy