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Date Posted: 18:24:34 06/01/10 Tue
Author: Randall K. (Randy) Wilson (1970)
Subject: 40 YEARS AGO TODAY (June 1, 1970)

Subject: Fondest Memory of Tech (Dedicated to Dad)
Written; 2007

Dear Tech Classmates,

I know we all may have some very fond memories of our days and years at Tech. For me one stands out more than all the rest. It has been nearly 37 years since that day, but in some ways it just seems like yesterday.

The day I am talking about was June 1st, 1970. It was my 18th birthday and that late hot afternoon I received my diploma during the annual Tech commencement. I will confess it was the "General" diploma which took only 32 credits. That's right I had the legal 32 credits and not a half credit extra. I held a full time job during my junior and senior year at Lane Bryant Inc., hence it showed in my accumulation of credits. Heck, I had $bill$ to pay.

Traditionally the annual Tech commencements were held on the football field, finishing at dusk. Not for out class! There were weather reports of rain the evening of our graduation. I guess the school officials were all worried about the graduates melting or something. With the threat of rain the school officials decided to have the graduation ceremony in the boy's gym.

The weatherman was way off in his prediction. It was hot and sunny the whole day and it would have been fine to have had it at the football field. In a nutshell the stuffy heat in the boy's gym that night was right up there with Death Valley. Yep the bright sunny light beamed into the gym the whole time the diplomas were being passed out. Not a drop of rain was to be seen.

Now getting back to my fond memory. After the graduation completed I was to meet my folks outside the gym on the west sidewalk. As I strolled around the building looking for my family there stood Dad by himself where we were to meet. North and south he was center of the gym. I approached him and he said, "Son let me see your diploma." He looked it over, held it close to his chest and said, (with a twinkle in his eyes), "Son, Dad's proud of you." Next I received something that is common place among Wilsons’ a big warm hug. Folks that afternoon will never dim from my memory.

To this day I can show you the very spot that Dad and I had this very special encounter. Knowing many details about my direct Wilson pedigree back over 200 years, I made family history that night. I'm the first of my line of Wilsons’ to graduate from High School. Thank God for that 32nd credit and a wonderful loving Father. What a miracle!

Randall K. Wilson - Red Hot Graduating Class of 1970 (man was that evening hot)

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Replies:

[> Re: 40 YEARS AGO TODAY (June 1, 1970) -- Warren Byerly '56, 20:04:15 06/01/10 Tue

Neat story. Very touching. I think we can all remember our graduation day at Tech but few of us had such an experience that left a memory like yours.


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[> [> Re: 40 YEARS AGO TODAY (June 1, 1970) -- Randall K. (Randy) Wilson (1970), 20:11:03 06/01/10 Tue

My Father never set foot in a high school in his entire life. Nor did he graduate from the 8th grade. Make no mistake, you would have to get up real early in the morning to "beat" Dad out of a nickel. :-)
Dad passed away in 1998 and I still think about him with much fondess, every day.


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[> Re: 40 YEARS AGO TODAY (June 1, 1970) -- Donna Ray '51, 00:24:49 06/04/10 Fri

Randy,

This is such a good story/remembrance of you, your Dad and graduation. Thanks for sharing it.


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