ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI) – Friday, Washington University said goodbye to thousands of graduates, a med-school couple and the man behind decades worth of commencement ceremonies.
Students filed into their seats. Families craned over each other with digital cameras and cell phones. The band played.
“Really, this day is the result of a grand conspiracy of love,” said Newark, New Jersey Mayor Cory Booker on Commencement Day 2013 at Washington University.
“So many people came together to make this day so special for the graduates,” he announced at the podium.
On behalf of the 2,800 graduates, Booker thanked faculty, staff and others he said do not get thanked enough.
“So, I want to give my thanks to all the people at this university who served the food to our young people, who cleaned floors and bathrooms,” the crowd cheered.