Almost five months after I walked down the aisle in my graduation robe that hot Thursday morning and moved my tassel over to the other side, I can finally say that I am an OFFICIAL college graduate.

Right about now you probably have the look of confusion on your face, but let me explain. My graduation date was May 31, 2007. Unfortunately, I took an elective course whose professor “accidentally” failed me. I think it’s just too coincidental that as a graduating senior he happened to give me an F when I really earned a C-. The fact that he was so passive and lackadaisical in changing my grade so that they would correct HIS mistake on my transcript and finally release my diploma was atrocious.

Anyway, it’s finally in the past and for that I am grateful.

Brooklyn College Millenium Alumni Association here I come to get my beautiful, long overdue golden i.d. card!

Eighteen credits left to take in my final semester as an undergrad at Brooklyn College. I was working part time in the office of a local congresswoman four days  a week and the editor-in-chief of my campus student newspaper, The Kingsman.

Against everyone’s advice, I took on those responsibilities head on. It was sink or swim and I started to float. As  I got further and further into the semester…….I began to sink and wonder whether or not I would make it to the finish line.

I had four classes that I was highly concerned about. I still don’t know why I even registered for such tough courses as electives.  I knew I took Personal Finance just to know how to avoid being broke. I took Mass Communication, because I felt it was related to my major, Journalism. I took Intro to American Government because I work in that industry and felt it would give me a better sense of what I work for.  The final class was The Principles of Marketing which was entirely online. So I stressed about these six classes as I prepared for the big day….GRADUATION!

I couldn’t wait until the last day of production with the paper. Our final issue for the semester was a hit and I was proud yet determined to never ever become an editor. Last day of classes came and went. Took all of the finals and waited for the grades that came in sporadically.

Thursday May 31, 2007 at 10 a.m.–Graduation Day! I pulled on my burgundy robe and carried my flag with pride. I took my seat among over 3,500 graduates under the hot summer sun. I stood up when they called my academic field of study with joy as they pronounced us as official graduates of the college. I sat down and hoped that the last few grades to be submitted would seal the deal.

I went to Florida mid-June for a week just to relax. My first vacation and plane ride, I was anxious to grasp a new experience. I was one grade away from knowing whether or not I was a college graduate or destined for summer school. I got a hunch and decided to check my email at my cousin’s house.

My heart and jaw just sank as I read my grade. I had gotten an “F” for Intro to American Government. It didn’t make sense. Things didn’t add up.  I was upset, distraught, and in shock but did not say a word. I had 117 credits, just 3 credits short of meeting the 120- credit requirement to graduate. I had worked so hard to graduate on time in four years, for this to happen? Why me? Was it a mistake? It had to be. I decided to let it go and deal with it when I returned home to New York.  Why stress about it when I can’t do anything about it in Florida. Besides, how often do I get a vacation? Why let this spoil it?

I simply called my friend Jay in NY and told him to pray. I text two others and asked them to do the same. I only shared this information with my sisters and not my parents. How could I steal that pride from them? Their firstborn daughter was a college graduate. Every night when I came home, I was greeted by my ecstatic mom calling me graduate, but was I really?

I sent emails back and forth to my professor demanding an explanation. He just kept stringing me along saying that he was out of town and would have to get back to me later. I was in limbo. College Gradute, Yes or No? I did not worrry about it and just kept living my life. I weighed out my options but hoped for the best.  I spoke to my friend Mike and broke the news to him. He simply encouraged me to get the job done and I did. The next day I sent another email to my professor but this time I got a response. I passed with a C+.

I can  proudly say that I am an official college graduate, CLASS OF 2007!

Praise God is all that I can say.