[I always wanted to be President of Yale … well, for a day or so. And then it came to pass that I received a phone call. “Hello, this is the Alumni Office at Yale. How would you like to be President for a Day?”
You bet!
It then was explained that Middlebury College in Vermont was installing a new president–they make him sound like a toilet– and they need to show support by sending the college President or his designate. No one at the University or among the 857 alumni residing in Vermont was available, so it came down to me.
Let me check my calendar. It’s your lucky day! I just happen to have a cancellation and can squeeze you in.
“Whew!” says the alumni coordinator, “I mean ‘Congratulations!’ We’ll send you an academic robe. What is your academic degree? Oh … no problem. Remember, colleges line up by year of origin, so if William & Mary and Harvard don’t show up, you will be leading the parade.
It was a blast. I issued a lot of executive decrees. No one paid any attention. Here it is, documented. Make sure to watch the video. SB SM]
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!
So happy to hear of your elevation. Stephen would you kindly confer on me a doctorate in Comparative Literature from Yale. I would love having this degree. Lux & Veritas NORM
… by the power vested in me, I hereby confer upon Stormin’ Norman the title of Doctor of Comparative Literature, entitled to all the rights and privileges thereof!
You will be featured twice this week on Silverback Digest as we cruise towards the Reunion. See ya soon.
Nice installment and pics!
You probably know that “Bulldogs” invented the pie plate = frisbie/frisbee in 1920.
Hope they can also stand up to Trump the Terrible as Hahvad has been at last.
Lux et Veritas!
Mike – Boston State Teachers College 1972
Motto -“Where the hell can I park?”