Paul Derengowski, Ph.D.
Earning a doctorate is a big deal, as it should be. Earning a doctorate at North-West University is a really big deal, as the school demonstrated at the lunch 
reception after the graduation ceremony. A huge spread was provided for all the doctoral graduates and their guests, where a wide variety of African cuisine was served.
Some of the foods my wife and I kinda-sorta recognized; others we did not. Dr. Stoker, Annelize, Lee, my wife, and myself took our places, along with hundreds of others fellowshiping over what had just taken place. It was simply a great time.
In some ways the event was a sharp contrast to what I had experienced in the U.S. Although graduation from college and/or seminary (several times) was special, it was not quite like this. After each instance of graduating with my bachelors and masters degrees, none of the schools made a big deal out of graduation by providing the students with any kind of meal. If the students wanted lunch (or dinner), they either got it on their own or they went with their families to a restaurant. Such was not the case this time.
In fact, I cannot remember any of the churches we attended that did anything similar either. Why it was that way, I am not sure. Maybe, where I attended it was not that big a deal or the churches were on such a shoestring budget that honoring the graduates with a lunch or dinner just was not worth it. I do not know. Perhaps, that is why this was such a pleasant surprise.
Midway through the luncheon, one of the new doctorates was asked to come to the podium and give his perspective on the journey he had been on leading up to graduation day. In many ways I could relate, particularly when he spoke of the seeming roller-coaster ride involved in all the research, writing, and consulting along the way. Couple that with meeting deadlines, keeping personal schedules, and trying to stay relevant with family and church, it all can become quite hectic over the course of the years necessary to complete the task.
When his presentation was over, we all headed to the dessert tables. Yes, there were probably six or seven tables set up just for dessert! Again, some of the desserts, like ice cream, I recognized. Other things, not so much. What we, in our group, were trying to avoid—although Dr. Stoker did not seem to get the message—was eating too much. Because Lee had promised to serve up what is known as Braai at Annelize’s place later that evening. Braai is the South African version of American barbecue. So, while we were satisfied with lunch and dessert—it was fantastic—we tried not to overdue it, as I had heard that Braai was something very special.
After lunch was finished, Annelize was kind enough to drive us over to the main campus where my wife and I could pick up a few souvenirs, as well as get me my student badge for security purposes. Again, if she would not have been our escort, we would have been totally lost. Thank you, Annelize!
Then, it was back to the Villa, where I took a short snooze and we waited for Lee to pick us up for Braai.
