Rudeness at UK graduation

On May 8, my goddaughter graduated from the University of Kentucky; the ceremony was at Rupp Arena. As expected, the arena was filled and we had to sit five rows from the top.

I have attended many college graduations over the years. But one thing stood out at this graduation. Once the graduates’ names were called and they received their degrees, more than 85 percent of them left the arena instead of returning to their seats.

Of course, when the graduates left, their families did, too, and the entire arena began to empty out — while the officials continued to call names and well before the ceremony ended.

How rude and inconsiderate. I have never experienced anything like this at any graduation, college or high school. I felt bad for the few students who returned to their seats and for the last student whose name was called.

For all of the bragging about Big Blue Nation, it seems UK is graduating Big Blue Babies. What is being taught regarding consideration and respect for others? Did those graduates not think about others whose names were yet to be called?

This is certainly a stain on UK, as everyone I spoke with regarding the graduation talked about how rude so many graduates and their families were. I hope this was an isolated event. If it wasn’t, shame on UK.

This story was originally published May 13, 2016 at 8:04 PM with the headline "Rudeness at UK graduation."