THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 7, 1995 TAG: 9505080207
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PHILIP WALZER AND MYLENE MANGALINDAN, STAFF WRITERS
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Long : 136 lines
Old Dominion University's graduation Saturday was a special triumph for senior Marty Jones.
It wasn't just what he got - a diploma, after seven years of part-time study.
It was what he heard - that old commencement favorite, ``Pomp and Circumstance.''
In the mid-'80s, ODU replaced the Edward Elgar classic with another processional, ``Sine Nomine,'' by Vaughan Williams. But Jones waged a one-man battle last month to get ``Pomp'' back. And he won.
``It was great,'' the 36-year-old English major said Saturday afternoon after the graduation. ``The only complaint I had was it wasn't loud enough; they could have cranked the volume.''
Jones, a Norfolk resident, was probably best-known on campus as the beer columnist for the student paper, the Mace & Crown. But in a non-alcoholic essay in the last issue, the aspiring feature writer and songwriter waxed poetic about ``Pomp.''
``The thought of `Pomp' not being played at my graduation ceremony was like discovering that `Amazing Grace' wouldn't be played at my funeral,'' he wrote. ``. . . `Pomp and Circumstance' is the `Louie, Louie,' the `Wild Thing,' the `Freebird' of the graduation experience.''
His wife, who was also a student at ODU, got into it, too. During exam time, he said last week, ``whenever one of us would get depressed, one of us would (sing the melody).''
Once, when Jones visited the library, he listened to a tape of the real thing and nearly came to tears.
He likes that song.
But when he went to a graduation two years ago, he learned that there was no ``Pomp'' at ODU.
``I kept waiting to hear it and never heard it. It disturbed me. I thought it was supposed to be one of the guaranteed traditions of graduation.''
Last month, he called music chairman Dennis J. Zeisler to find out if ``Pomp'' was being stomped this year. It was.
Zeisler said in an interview that it had been a decision from the top: When Joseph M. Marchello became president in the mid-'80s, he changed the graduation music to match the program in Missouri, where he had worked. Marchello resigned in 1988, but his selections remained.
Many, but not all, colleges have stuck with ``Pomp.'' Virginia Wesleyan will play it during its commencement next weekend, but Norfolk State University opts for another march, ``Crown Imperial.'' It's similar to ``Pomp,'' commencement chairwoman Ann McKinney said, and it maintains the ``traditional, sophisticated air of graduation.''
That's what Zeisler thought about ``Sine Nomine,'' but Jones still wasn't happy. ``I felt like after going to school for so long, after all this toil and sweat, I wanted to make sure the whole thing was right,'' he said.
He called Zeisler back a week later and pleaded his case. The music chairman had never heard another complaint about the music, but he listened and rendered a decision worthy of Solomon: The procession would alternate between ``Pomp'' and ``Sine Nomine.''
Fine with Jones. As luck would have it Saturday, ``Pomp'' was playing - though maybe not at full blast - when he marched into Foreman Field.
Some other graduates Saturday morning seemed less enthused about the tune.
Pam White, a 22-year-old management and information systems major, wanted something more upbeat.
``It's depressing; it's supposed to be happy, not sad,'' she said.
``I'm not even concerned,'' said Damon E. Wade, 23, an electrical engineering major from Bermuda. ``I just want to walk across the stage and take my diploma. They can play whatever they want.''
But his friend Bryan Joseph felt differently. ``I've been humming it all morning,'' said the 30-year-old Louisiana native. ``I think they should play it. To me, it signifies graduation.''
As the soon-to-be graduates waited for ``Pomp,'' they frantically scoured the programs for their names. Under their gowns, they wore everything from shorts and Birkenstock sandals to suits and frilly dresses.
The morning gusts forced several to chase their caps after they'd blown off in the wind or continue clutching them while in the procession.
But the mood was jovial and playful. Students sprayed Silly String and pretended to bump into fellow students in line during the procession.
Gen John J. Sheehan, commander-in-chief of the U.S. Atlantic Command, told the 2,000 graduates to embrace the changes brought on by the information superhighway and serve the country.
ODU President James V. Koch told them to always remember Old Dominion.
``When times are tough, think back to the spring of 1995, when the Monarchs beat Villanova,'' he said, referring to ODU's first-round NCAA tournament basketball triumph and receiving thunderous applause and cheers. ``No one thought it was possible. But they succeeded and so will you.''
For Jones, though, the song was the thing. And, to him, the return of ``Pomp'' proved that the little guy can be heard, even at a big university.
``At ODU, if you see a problem, you need to talk to somebody about it and you might just get what you wanted.''
Vice President Dana D. Burnett, a closet ``Pomp'' supporter, agreed. ``The system works,'' he said. ILLUSTRATION: LAWRENCE JACKSON/Staff color photos
Old Dominion University students line up in a parking lot as they
prepare to march into Foreman Field for their graduation ceremony.
Goef Thompson of Silver Spring, Md., announces, ``I'm graduating!''
just as ODU's commencement begins.
Graphic
OTHER LOCAL COMMENCEMENTS
FRIDAY, MAY 12:
Paul D. Camp Community College: 7 p.m., Franklin Armory. Speaker:
Anne-Marie McCartan, vice chancellor, state community college
system.
SATURDAY, MAY 13:
Regent University: 9:30 a.m., campus. Speaker: Peter Engel,
executive producer of NBC's ``Saved by the Bell.''
Tidewater Community College: 10 a.m., Scope. Speaker: Edward E.
Brickell, president of Eastern Virginia Medical School.
Virginia Wesleyan College: 11 a.m., campus. Speaker: Robert A.
Pastor, director of Latin American and Caribbean program at Carter
Center in Atlanta.
SUNDAY, MAY 14:
Hampton University: 9:30 a.m., university Convocation Center.
Speaker: Surgeon general nominee Henry Foster.
William and Mary: 1 p.m., William and Mary Hall. Speaker: Former
President George Bush.
Norfolk State University: 2 p.m., Scope. Speaker: NSU President
Harrison B. Wilson.
Christopher Newport University: 4 p.m., campus. Speaker: U.S.
Rep. Thomas Bliley.
MONDAY, MAY 15:
Thomas Nelson Community College: 7 p.m., Hampton Coliseum.
Speaker: Penelope Kyle, director of Virginia Lottery.
SATURDAY, MAY 20:
Eastern Virginia Medical School: 10 a.m., Chrysler Hall. Speaker:
Dr. Richard Janeway, executive vice president for health affairs at
Wake Forest University.
by CNB