2003-12-20
5:08 p.m.

The Voice and Totality of Goodness of Clayton Aiken Day: Graduation News (*edited to add Bayley's BEVR, and additional news links)

LBFCA is pleased to extend a heartfelt congratulatory hug, and a slurpy kiss too, to Clay Aiken upon his college graduation today.

In honor of this special occasion, we bring you an early edition of our traditional Sunday celebration of The Voice and Totality of Goodness of Clayton Aiken Day.

News of Clay�s graduation popped up online quickly this afternoon, including this article from UNCC, Clay�s school website, from which we copy the following report, (featuring photos found at yahoo.com news):

�Aiken sat with his class, like he wanted to. People in the audience murmured amongst themselves about his presence, but it was not brought out in the open.

It seemed as if Aiken got exactly what he wanted -- just to be known as one in the nearly 1,000 students walking across the stage.

Fittingly, he was also the last name called on the day. The announcement and his walking across the stage was met with the loudest round of applause, but also with some scattered boos from the crowd.

After crossing the stage and receiving his diploma, he returned to stand next to Chancellor James Woodward.

Woodward concluded the ceremony with the following words:

�Every graduate here is special, but one of you has received a bit more attention than others and he would like to speak to his fellow graduates.�

An obviously nervous Aiken approached the podium with a very similar response to his walk not a minute earlier -- a mix of cheers and boos.

�I'm going to make this quick because I know we're all ready to turn the tassel,� said Aiken as flashbulbs popped everywhere around him. �This has been an amazing year for me and for so many people here at UNC Charlotte who have been a part of that for me. This is more special to me than a lot of things that have happened to me this year because this day or makes for all of us a statement� a statement that we make to kids, to our neighbors, children who we are worked with -- for the education majors or children we are working with if we are not education majors -- is how important it is to persevere and continue to work and strive to succeed and achieve your goals. This is definitely one of mine and one of everyone�s here today. Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of this day with you here today. It's been an amazing ride for me. Congratulations to you all and God bless."�

With this Associated Press report, we know the world will have a chance to learn of Clay�s philanthropic work with The Bubel Aiken Foundation, as it ends with the following:

�At a news conference after the ceremony, Aiken and others announced several initiatives by the Bubel Aiken Foundation, a charitable organization started this summer to help disabled children. Aiken was a mentor to Mike Bubel, a teenager with autism, while Aiken studied at UNCC.

Wachovia (WB) and MBNA are to offer a Bubel Aiken Foundation credit card. The foundation also announced partnerships with Krispy Kreme, the President�s Volunteer Service Award program and Youth Service America.�

Nelle
*sniff* will somebody pass the tissues, please

I was there. I got to see Clayton Holmes Aiken graduate. Here's the story�

Every year, twice a year, I attend UNCC commencement. It's part of my job; I work at UNCC. It's always been a bit of a chore, sacrificing a Saturday right before the holidays to sit through the droning speeches, the parade of students, 98% of whom I've never met.

This year was different. This year Clay was graduating.

So�.here's what I saw.

Clay filed in separately from the rest of the graduates with two women who were also in cap and gowns. He came in discreetly & sat with the rest of the students. I doubt anyone noticed his entrance. His hair looked longer than usual and it was spiked out around the mortarboard. Under the black gown I could see a crisp clean white collar and light colored tie. Since he was seated among the mostly female education majors, he was easy to watch. He was a head taller than everyone around him. I basked in his presence as the other graduates filed across the stage. He seemed relaxed and chatted frequently with the two women with him. I noticed that the women with him had the tassels on their caps on the left, which meant that they were already graduates. They didn't walk across the stage either. I had heard that they had arranged for him to sit with some friends,...so I assumed they were May grads there to keep him company.

Even though I knew he wasn't going to sing the national anthem, it was still disappointing when someone else got up to sing. Usually a student sings, but this year it was a faculty member. I guess they thought any other student might feel inadequate. Duh.

I feared a media circus, but the ceremony was surprising normal. There were seven different TV cameras there, but they were located on the upper level and were hardly noticeable.

The student who gave the graduation speech spoke of how important it was to serve others after they graduate & I noticed that Clay seemed to sort of bow his head, as if this really made him think.

Clay was the absolute last one to graduate. He waited until the very last minute to stand up and get in line. He really appeared to be trying to keep a low profile. I spotted a very large man off at a discreet distance who I assume to be his body guard. He looks to be extremely capable! When Clay finally stood up to join the lineup, he looked impossibly tall and thin in his cap and gown. There was a large crowd response when they called his name, mostly cheers, but a few boos, which I really don�t understand. I know that there was a lot of talk about Clay getting extra tickets and some students not getting enough tickets, but honest to goodness, there were a LOT of empty seats!

Clay filed across the stage with grace and dignity and a bit of a static cling problem with the polyester gown. (Insert your own lecherous thoughts here.) He then followed the chancellor up to the podium and gave his little speech, which I'm sure you've all read. After listening to a string of stodgy academics, he was a breath of fresh air. Even though he wasn�t as eloquent as I know he can be, his energy and manner were captivating. He has IT, and it is very obvious even when he isn't singing. Then he sat back down with his fellow students. Those who have attended a graduation recently will recall that this is when the chancellor confers the degrees upon the students. Clay stood straight and tall and seemed to take this part pretty seriously. Then of course it was time for the "turning of the tassel." I watched with broad interest as Clay moved his "tassel" from DTTR to DTTL!

After a few more words from the chancellor, the ceremony was over and Clay filed out.

Overall, I'd have to say that I think Clay got his wish of having a reasonably normal graduation without having any negative impact on the other students. Congratulations, Clay.

--from Bayley

Note by Nelle:
Additional News Reports about Clay's Graduation became available 12-21-03.

From the Charlotte Observer, an article on both the graduation and the Bubel Aiken Foundation announcements.

On a weekend filled with incredible pride, both for Clay, and for being a Clay Aiken fan, Lecherous Broads are both more proud and more lecherous, when we read the close of the above noted article:

"Aiken's fans have raised more than $200,000 for the foundation since its founding in July.

"Some of it was attached to panties that flew on stage," Aiken said at the news conference, dressed in a black suit, white shirt and white tie, with a What Would Jesus Do bracelet on his wrist.

"If the panties keep coming, I'm fine with that.""

Then, we read this article written by Clay, and we are amazed at how he makes us love him more, over and over and over. Again.

Don't miss Sandi's Beautiful Graduation Day poem.