u/Finding_Way_

For the first time we are not required to go to graduation.

Department Chairs (And of course Dean's on up) must go but other faculty are not required to.

You can attend as part of your service to the College that will be noted on reviews, but it is not considered better / different than other types of one time service work opportunities.

I'm very curious to see how this impacts graduation this year.

I'm at a CC. Graduation is a big deal to families in the geographic area, including regarding students receiving certificates.

I don't love it, but I'm always so thrilled for the kids and working adults who've worked so hard to make this happen.

I likely will go. But I don't teach in the summer so it's not a big imposition for me. I know those that have to turn around and be back for a summer session really want to break between turning in grades and starting the summer term.

How about you all? Are you required to go?

And whether you are or not, do you go?

I don't have social media other than Reddit so I'm curious if any of the old timers that still compete ever comment on some of the others that completely left the Challenge and have true professional careers.

Evelyn (attorney), Frank Roessler (I think some kind of hedge fun big investment guy?), and even Sean Duffy (might hate his politics but can't deny that he is in fact a person in a profession) to name a few. They left the show behind and went on to have full professional careers. As far as I know they don't participate in things like Challenge Mania, much less return to the show.

Do the other contestants ever speak of or to them? I understand that some make good money on the Challenge but I do wonder if they are at all envious that others were able to truly move on from the franchise and do just fine.

(And NOT looking to derail regarding Duffy. Really just curious in general about traditional professionals versus challenge professionals).