Here’s how this one happened … because I have been active in alumni affairs for my alma mater, Yale, the alumni office sometimes contacts me to ask a favor, such as to talk to a prospective student, or in this case to stand in for the President of Yale at the ceremonial installation of the new President at Middlebury College.
This was a completely hollow, ceremonial event. They would send me the academic regalia. I would march in with a procession of other academic dignitaries, listen to some boring speeches, eat a delicious lunch, and return the regalia in the postpaid box.
Too much fun!
SB Sandy and I drove over the mountains on a lovely autumn day for the ceremony. When I arrived, I was told that protocol was the the procession was organized in order of institutional founding. With Yale founded in 1701, if no one showed from Harvard or William and Mary, I would be leading the procession.
Some asshole from Harvard showed, so I was #2.
I hadn’t yet returned my cap and gown when the next Silverback gathering was held at the Parsonage, so naturally I conferred degrees on all my fellow apes. I’m sure I made Yale very proud!
