Remerge graduation

Two pelicans with degrees in party crashing swooped down on Pepperdine University's graduation ceremony Friday and dive-bombed the crowd, adding some levity to the pomp and circumstance. The brown pelicans, which can dive from about 60 feet in the air when they plunge into shallow ocean waters for food, soared over the cheering audience before one appeared to land in someone's lap. The second pelican joined the winged interloper for a stroll on the well-manicured grass in front of the surprised audience.  A man tried to pick up one of the pelicans, receiving a face full of beak when he got too close. Both were eventually shooed away from the ceremony. It's one of the hazards of having a picturesque campus right next to the ocean in Malibu. Brown pelicans spend most of their time over shallow waters and in sheltered bays along the California coast. Groups often can be seen flying low over the water when they're feeding, diving head-first to catch their prey. The seabird with a … [Read more...] about Dive-Bombing Pelicans Interrupt Graduation in Malibu

FERRUM — As the end of her high school career drew near, Sarah Shuford was unsure of what was next.She’d been rejected by all but one of the colleges to which she applied and that one didn’t feel like the right fit. Shuford wanted her pursuit of higher education to begin at a school where she’d be happy and want to stay for all four years.A school counselor suggested she apply to Ferrum College, which was unfamiliar to Shuford. The counselor told Shuford about taking a student like her, struggling to find the right place, on a trip to Ferrum.That student instantly fell in love with the school and decided to attend, the counselor said. It was enough to convince Shuford to apply.“Hearing that story made me realize OK, I need to apply to this school, because you just never know,” Shuford said.When Shuford was accepted, she was “overjoyed.” She’d finally found her place, just as her mother — whom Shuford calls her biggest … [Read more...] about School counselor’s suggestion led graduate to find the right fit with Ferrum

(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Nathan Favero, American University (THE CONVERSATION) As college students nationwide prepare for graduation, a new analysis has shown that just under half of all those who receive Pell Grants – the federal government’s main form of direct financial aid for low-income students – finish their four-year degree programs on time. The federal government considers “on time” being six years for a four-year degree. The maximum federal Pell Grant program award for the current school year is US$5,920. Next school year, the award will rise to $6,095. So, why are so many low-income college students not completing their degrees within this time frame? The question is an important one because last year the federal government spent $26.9 billion dollars on Pell Grants. It’s also important because Pell Grant recipients can expect to earn substantially … [Read more...] about Why graduation rates lag for low-income college students

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — On a whim, a Florida high school senior asked the Crocs shoe company to supply its foam shoes for her and all of her female classmates to wear to graduation, and the company said OK — if her request could get 2,018 retweets.Sarah Agee tells the Tampa Bay Times that she and other classmates were concerned about wearing high heels, so she suggested Crocs.Agee tweeted @Crocs, asking many retweets it would take to send white shoes for Seminole High School's graduation. The response: "2018 ... obviously."Crocs chief marketing officer Terence Reilly says when they got the retweets, they shipped the shoes.Agee and her friends crossed the stage Wednesday wearing the Crocs, though not all seniors participated.Agee says she learned that, "It can't hurt to ask." … [Read more...] about How many retweets to wear Crocs to graduation? 2018!

LYNCHBURG - Jimmy Carter and Donald Trump now have at least three things in common: both have been president, served as commencement speaker for Liberty University, and been awarded honorary doctorates by LU.Carter, the 39th president, spoke at LU’s 45th commencement on Saturday, advising graduates to live peacefully, care for others, and follow the example set by Jesus Christ.“We have the perfect example to follow if we’re in doubt, we just have to remember the perfect life of Jesus Christ,” Carter told the Class of 2018.The Associated Press reported that Carter began his address by noting the crowd was even bigger than in 2017, when Trump addressed Liberty's commencement.Carter said, "I don't know if President Trump would admit that." The remark harkened back to controversies over Trump's claim of a massive inauguration crowd exceeding 1 million, despite photographic evidence suggesting otherwise.Carter, an outspoken Christian and former Sunday school teacher, … [Read more...] about Carter urges Liberty graduates to care for others, gently jabs Trump