We might've overlooked the invitation to have lunch with the Rev. Robert Wild, S.J., president of Marquette University. Since my high schooler gets a lot of junk mail from colleges, the mail from Marquette sat on the table a couple weeks before we glanced at it. My uncle, Leland Lubbers, S.J., was to be one of four honorary degree recipients at Marquette's 126th Commencement Sunday, and was in very exclusive company.
One the way to Commencement my son told me he didn't bring his wallet and asked if I thought he'd need it. As soon as we found a parking lot close to the Bradley Center I'd wished he'd brought it because I'd forgot mine too. All we had between us was three gold coins and parking was five. As UWM was holding their graduation at the same time right next door at the Arena, street parking was at a premium. Long story short; lot attendant didn't believe story, told us to exit, reserved seats held for just a few minutes longer, they had to be too busy to watch us exit, right? We park anyway, get chased away, find parking several blocks away.
There was a lot to like about Commencement; Steve Rushin, former Sports Illustrated writer, Marquette graduate, and Honorary Doctor of Letters recipient, gave a very funny and entertaining commencement speech. The pageantry, ceremony and solemnity of the professors with their colorful robes and hoods - each color, stripe or emblem having meaning. The wild exuberance of the graduates celebrating with air horns, Silly String, balloons and confetti. The wonderful things said about my uncle. The things I learned about Marquette.
After Commencement we were going to join all the honorary degree recipients and the president of Marquette for a reception and luncheon in the "Presidential Suite". Since I forgot to ask my sister for a couple dollars before she left, we still couldn't afford parking, this time in a 16th Street structure.
The suite was full of important people I didn't know and one famous person I did. The
Honorable Vel R. Phillips was the recipient of the Honorary Doctor of Laws and she deserved it like none other. I became acquainted with all her accomplishments a short while ago at the opening night of the Civil Rights play "March On, Milwaukee". The play was written by Peg Rozga, James Groppi's widow, who teaches at UWW. The play was staged at UWW, a short walk from my home, and many Civil Rights era dignitaries and participants were there for the opening and the feedback session afterward. I learned a lot about Vel from her introduction and from hearing her and admire her greatly.
The commencement was great, the speeches, the lunch, the conversation, meeting interesting people and learning new things. But you want to know the best part? Seeing the three people I love sitting together at the president's table; my mom on the end, Vel Phillips in the middle, and my Uncle Lee on the other end. Priceless.
