It is tiresome to hear people talk about their university. It’s inevitable, especially in our self-involved and disproportionately college educated imperial city, that you’ll be on your third drink, searching for the exit but unable escape from someone who thinks the Barons’ War was on par with his actions in the Northwestern Student Government. He’ll join you for a smoke outside, or if you’re walking home, he’ll tell you the best bit about the 2011 student fee dispute. You could be called to jury duty.
Like jury duty, the affection of others for their institutions is not only unpleasant, but also necessary for our public life. For all their sins, the universities are one of only a few public institutions that have existed longer than our nation.
My years of academic tutelage were not particularly enjoyable. They did make an impression on me. I got something that resembled an education. Today, my university is holding its graduation. Floreat Alma Mater.
