Reporting Live from Commencement
I'm set up on the media riser, camera pointed at the dais. I won't be live-streaming this one, so please check out the WesCast and WTNH for the live video.
I will try to make periodic updates leading up to the commencement (and during, if possible). I ask that you please forgive typos, which I promise to clean up later.
Some early observations:
- There are already people gathered on the hill, and it is cordoned off by a white fence. I don't know if that's a typical feature of commencement or not.
- WTNH has already done at least one live stand-up report with me and the Wesleying camera in the immediate background. An exciting look at my backside on the morning news!
- I had no trouble finding on-street parking at 6:15am. Your mileage may vary
Update 9:20am
The hill is filling up, as you can see in the pictures below. Right now it's just a whole lot of waiting around, but if you want a great seat, you're too late.
The above image was taken before 8am.
The above image was taken at about 9:15am
Update 10:10am
They played the fight song on the bells, and they are setting up security folks on the roof of Zelnick Pavilion, which is further confirmation that Senator Obama is indeed speaking today (I had heard that some spoilsports were trying to convince the attendees that he'd canceled).
This is the view from back by Zelnick, a little while ago:
Edit (Justin, 11:14 AM): Get away from the grainy video on your computer screen! CNN will broadcast Obama's speech live on national TV. Wolf Blitzer just cut into a shot of the ceremony before going to commercial.
27 comments:
The fence is not normal.
where's the shoutbox?
Cool.
What service / thing-a-mah-jig are you using for streaming video?
We took the shoutbox (among other things) away temporarily to save bandwidth on what we anticipate will be a very high-traffic day. Rest assured, it will be back.
I won't be live streaming on Wesleying. Please check the links in the post for your streaming needs.
Media (me included) just went through secret service screening, and now we just hang tight until commencement begins at 11.
One funny story to tell is that right at 8, when the seating opened up to ticketed attendees, there was a mad dash not unlike those you see on the news every year for day after Thanksgiving sales. Everybody took off running toward the front rows. I have no pics or video of that, because my equipment was being checked.
You are doing a wonderful service for two Wesleyan parents following everything from Santa Monica, California. Do we have any idea whether Senator Kennedy might attend the ceremony just as a father?
no, the news this morning said that he'll still be at the cape today
Another parent in Berkeley California is grateful for Wesleying year round and especially today. I read that when Kennedy's daughter, Caroline graduated from high school, which coincided with Ron Reagan's funeral,he elected to go to her commencement,so I feel that he will attend today. BTW, the press coverage of this event is wide spread.
Things are just about to start here, sorry for the lack of updates, but with so much press here I have to fiercely guard my spot on the media riser.
Apparently CNN will broadcast Obama's speech live.
The drums sound great right now on the WTNH live stream!
Roth dancing... priceless
Please tell me the drums will be gone by my graduation.
Roth's dancing... he looks so jolly!
What was with Rashida's speech?
sweet christ, rashida's speech was painful.
Did she really have to make a joke about Wellesley? And what's with pronouncing the name of our school Wezzzzleyan unlike everyone else so far?
References to 4/20, giggling... so embarrassing
Shit, rashida, you couldn't do better???
How many times will Roth say "change"? Kissing a certain someone's ass are we?
the last lady wasn't too bad. Not gonna lie, i was kind of digging her accent.
08 should have elected an at least capable speaker
Wow, Rashida's speech was very embarrassing, and with the stakes so high for Wes's reputation, it's disappointing. I'm sure she was incredibly nervous, and I don't envy her being in that high-profile position. But I kind of wish someone in the administration had vetted the speech, not so much for content as for tone. They could have had her work with a faculty member to write something more mature and substantive.
I've seen a lot of undergrad speakers give similar speeches--filled with shout-outs to their classmates, long lists of inside anecdotal references opaque to the rest of the audience, shakily delivered. Rashida isn't unique in that. But it would have been nice to have a particularly good student speech this year, of all years.
CNN broke to commercial in the middle of Obama's speech. GRR...
i fuckin hate cnn. i dont want to fucking hear an "assessment" of obama's speech!!! it is a graduation address, not a fucking stump speech!!! there is nothing to fucking assess!!!
Now that Obama is done, the hill is clearing off, and most of the media are taking down their camcorders. I am still filming, and apologize again for the lack of live updates. I have full video, but changed tape during the intro to the first honorary degree recipient.
wow... a lot of digs at hilary for a commencement address.
rashida's speech took me back to grade school/high school graduation
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