“Just my parents and grandparents being there. My grandparents were elderly, and I was the first person in my family to graduate from college.”

— Rick Prosser, retired, Lawrence

“Being at the end of the graduation procession so that commencement was only like 20 minutes long for me. That's the key: being at the back of the line.”

— Brian Collins, filmmaker, Chicago

“Walking down the hill. It's kind of generic, but waiting at the top with all my friends with all the anticipation and excitement was the best part.”

— Tasha Keathley, Kansas University graduate student, Lawrence

“Probably the proud look on my parents' face when I came back with my signed degree.”

— Marjie Norton, transportation planner, Lawrence