Pomp and Circumstance

(Beware: your computer might blow up from the ridiculous amount of pictures in this post!)

Today my brother PJ graduated from my alma mater, East Carolina University. GO PIRATES!!!  

I went with my parents and one set of grandparents to the 9 am commencement ceremony that was for the entire university.  It was held at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.  Traffic was INSANE, even for Greenville.  I thought we were going to miss it!  

We sat in the upper deck which is really high but we could see close-ups on the jumbo-tron screen so I took some pictures of that, too.    

The undergrads were sitting in the stands and the doctoral and masters candidates, along with the med school graduates, were on the field with faculty.  In true ECU tradition the PURPLE/GOLD chant erupted between the two groups.

This afternoon we attended the department ceremony which was in Minges Coliseum.  Eric and Tyler Kate met us there along with the rest of the grandparents and Candice's family.  He walked across the stage at this ceremony and was recognized as graduating cum laude.  He got all the brains, what can I say?  I'm nothing but proud! 

Tyler Kate was so cute during the ceremony and she did soooo good!  People were yelling out for their graduate so when we saw PJ of course we had to do the same.  Tyler Kate loved it and called out for her uncle "J" the entire time.  It was precious.  Luckily the department ceremonies are not formal so this is acceptable behavior!   

She was so happy to see him afterward and she loved playing with his cords.  They are a little partial to one another if you can't tell.

He received a B.S. in Construction Management. {if you were wondering why he's wearing a hard hat, now you know:)}  He is a fourth generation construction man.  Our great-grandfather, grandfather and dad have all been in the industry along with many others in the Gardner clan.  It's in their blood people.  

PJ's girlfriend, Candice, also graduated today.  She has a degree in recreational therapy. Her department ceremony isn't until tomorrow and we will sadly miss it. Aren't they a cute couple?

Here is the graduate with our parents... 

 (quick shout out to mom and dad- THANK YOU!! Neither of us have student loans!!!!!! WOOOHOOOO!)


PJ and Grandma Vonnie:

PJ with Grandma & Grandaddy Barrow:

PJ with Papa & Majane:

This is one proud Gardner...

It was a great day to be a Pirate!  CONGRATULATIONS PJ and CANDICE!