The Registrar’s Office posted my last D-term grades in the late afternoon on 3 May 2013. Suddenly classes were over. BannerWeb confirmed that I had officially completed all of my degree requirements and had become the first college graduate in my family.
A minute later, I called Hristo, my cousin who lives in Florida, to share the good news with him. He and his wife, Pavela, have always supported me in many ways, and I cannot thank them enough. To date, they are my only family in America.
Hristo answered the phone, and we started talking:
“How many A’s did you get this semester?”
“I got straight A’s both C and D terms, Hristo. “
“You got all A’s? When’s your commencement ceremony?’
“11 May.”
“Is your family coming to the ceremony? ”
“No, they won’t be able to attend, but they will be watching the live webcast.”
“Okay, let me call you back in 5 minutes.”
5 minutes passed.
“Pavela and I are coming to your commencement. You’ll have family cheering you on.”

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)