Inspiring words of dreams and effort and accomplishment flowed Thursday evening, from the college president, the faculty leader, the featured commencement speaker.
But these fresh Clark College graduates — the record 400-plus who filed into the Sleep Country Amphitheater, taking nearly 15 minutes, or five full songs by the Fort Vancouver Pipe Band — already had pretty much figured out the important stuff, whether those who led the long procession, or those who brought up the rear.
Here was Jerry Hatcher, 58, father of four and grandfather of one, who arrived an hour early to secure his place right up front.
Funny how dealing with surging Clark enrollment, well past 13,000 students now as the economy still reels, teaches one not to dawdle — or quite likely lose that precious class seat or parking place.