Oh I suppose it’s a bit undignified, but, on the other hand, the whooping and cheering can be fun and heartwarming. I’ve loved it when family and friends cheer wildly someone who’s the first in the family to get a certain degree. When my daughter graduated from medical school, the cheering from some of the families was wild and happy; I loved it. As for myself—I was so proud of my daughter that I was in tears, quieter and perhaps more dignified, but maybe it would have been better if I had whooped and cheered instead.
There’s a lot of commotion at our tech college graduations, too. Yes, decorum probably would fit the occasion better. However, when families invest so much time, money and support in getting a family member through college, it’s so hard not to show that support as the graduate FINALLY walks across that stage! Especially older students that are grandmothers and grandfathers; by God, returning to school is NOT easy when you’re 50+ years old!
Would you be any less proud if you didn't have the backdrop of a graduation ceremony in which to whoop, holler and cheer?