From Grits to Chopsticks

At the beginning of each year, all new students are required to participate in several weeks of military training.  At the end of the training period, they demonstrate their skills in front of a reviewing stand of university staff members.  This year, I was asked to be a part of the review team.  About 4000 students marched by in groups of 100 (click here to watch: Marching Students).

Some groups of students showed their combat training:

while others did precision shapes:

After the military demonstrations, I joined the staff in presentation of awards to outstanding students:The student-soldiers then sat on stools and listened to a few speeches:

It was interesting to see how they had been trained to applaud.  Click here to see: Applause

I had the opportunity to speak after the president of our university.  Unfortunately, the press-release photo of my speech reminded me of another president:

Fortunately for the students (and me), my speech was only three minutes.  Now that’s something to really applaud!