Commencement

As school years across the country come to an end, it is worth noting that most end with some kind of commencement exercise. Which brings up a very interesting question: from where did the tradition of commencement/graduation come?

A graduation ceremony began as a rite of passage for the high school student. This rite of passage marked the movement from child/student to adulthood. "Rite of passage" was termed by anthropologist Arnold van Gennep in 1909 who believed that passage rituals had 3 steps:

(1) Separation from Society
(2) Inculcation-transformation;
(3) Return to Society in the new status.

The baccalaureate/commencement is considered the highlight of the school year and a time to formally recognize the achievements of students who are in honor societies and who have earned academic excellence. It was originally for those who truly studied, did not cheat or steal ideas off others and were honest. It was for those students who did not settle for "status quo" grades but worked to be the best of what they could be. Legend states the Baccalaureate ceremony originated in 1432 at Oxford University, and it required each bachelor to deliver a sermon in Latin as part of the academic exercise. The baccalaureate was a separate service in years past, but today is blended into to most commencement exercises in the form of a commencement speech.

Commencement for Westminster Christian Academy is a time to celebrate the accomplishments of the senior class, but it is also the last statement the school makes to the senior class as they leave the life of student and move to the life of adult. Congratulations to all of this year's graduates! The end of one thing is almost always the beginning of something else. My pray is that each graduate is ready for the new season that awaits them. Blessings!