Evergreen Revisited

Ike and I took a drive down to The Evergreen State College last Friday. I’ve got it in my head that I should go back and finally get those last three credits needed to complete my undergraduate degree.

When I walked away from Evergreen all those years ago, I really thought I was done with school. I went through the graduation ceremony, walked past the podium in my green robe and ill-fitting square hat to the applause of my fellow students, turned the corner and kept going. My intention was to pick up the last remaining credits over that summer, but I guess I just didn’t realize how finished I was with school, even though, as it turned out, the school wasn’t quite finished with me.

To tell the truth, non-graduation had never once come up until I was answering questions for our lawsuit. I had always, up to this point, simply stated that I had completed four years of college and left it at that. But here was a legal document wanting to know if I completed college and so I had to say no.

Evergreen is structured a little bit different than most schools I guess. No course requirements for graduation, no grades, no declared majors. Just, did you have enough credits to graduate and if so, what did you have the most credits in? Lucky me, they held on to what credits I completed and so when I head back to school, I will just need one small class to finish it all up.

I’m looking forward to the great strides in my life that a Bachelor of Arts degree can provide. In truth, who knows how far I might have come, had I embarked upon obtaining my diploma ten years ago though that is, I guess, water under the bridge at this point.

Ike and I found the school to look almost exactly as I had left it all those years ago. A few new buildings here and there but admissions was still in the same spot as was the financial aid office. Ike yelled most of the time we were there. He’s taken to yelling loudly to garner attention and when he gets it, putting on a huge smile that goes all the way down to his toes. It seems to be a remarkably effective tool for making friends, so I’m thinking of using it when I go back to school.

There’s always been a part of me that liked to yell at Greeners anyway. I used to do it with a really loud guitar but at this stage of my life I think this more direct approach suits me a little bit better.

Well anyway, I’m hoping to hear back from the school sometime this week…I’ll let you know if I get let back in.

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