Special Guest Surprises Graduate with Marriage Proposal
May 25, 2011
Like many graduating seniors, Tamiko Crawford was a little
nervous May 21 about walking across the wide stage at Virginia’s
Hampton Convocation Center to accept her college diploma. Little
did she know that another big moment in her life was about to occur
on the same stage, moments later.
After receiving her
congratulations from University President Arthur F. Kirk, Jr. and
taking a few steps, the sociology major glimpsed a man in a suit at
the other end of the stage, waiting for her. With a few more steps,
Crawford saw that the man was her longtime beau, Donald Pongnon,
and realized that he had gotten a leave from military duty in
Afghanistan to surprise her. She rushed toward him––in spite of her
high heels. Then he surprised her again, insisting that they stay
on stage while he got down on one knee and presented her with an
engagement ring.
“Yes, yes,” Crawford said, hugging him. The crowd, which had
assembled that morning to cheer on nearly 700 new Saint Leo
University graduates, roared in approval. The event was visible on
two big-screen displays, as well as on the stage, and so caught
nearly everyone’s attention.
The couple had discussed marriage before, Crawford said, but they
hadn’t established a timetable because of his continuing service
abroad with the U.S. Navy. She had no clue that her commencement
ceremony would provide the backdrop for a formal engagement.
Pongnon had made arrangements online to get a ring, and managed to
get a three-week leave from Afghanistan. He also contacted Saint
Leo University administrators to ask if he could attend the
commencement and be in a position to greet Crawford after she
received her diploma. He didn’t let on that he was planning a
public proposal, but had that in mind all along. “If I am going to
get a ‘yes,’ I am going to get a big yes,” he had decided.
Saint Leo staffer Gwen Mikeals, who has long coordinated the
graduation ceremonies in Virginia, says the commencement proposal
is the first one of its kind, at least to her knowledge.
Pongnon has to return to his intelligence assignment in early
June, but the happy couple is looking at dates in the spring for a
ceremony.
