Music is almost never a focal point of any graduation. Rarely, if ever, do I read or hear about the soundtrack of a university commencement or even the tunes playing during the processional as graduates march into their last ceremony. It's essentially assumed by most graduation attendees that graduates will walk to the traditional, melodious tearjerker composed ages ago. Brandeis, however, has made it clear that the classical melody doesn't fit at its own commencement exercises.

Rows upon rows of people dancing to the rhythmic Hindi beat playing as the Class of 2010 paraded into the room showed how a song from one of the more significant films of our generation could get everyone excited about celebrating the accomplishments of around 1,500 total graduates. If "Jai Ho" wasn't enough to get everybody's juices flowing, the Lion King classic "Circle of Life" instilled in friends and family members of all ages a nostalgic yet familiar life cycle sentiment. And the Black Eyed Peas' "I Gotta Feeling" to cap off the recessional certainly put the audience in a festive mood. Even a techno remix of "Hava Nagila" mixed in with the rest of the music emphasized the essence of Brandeis' interaction with modernity: a traditional song with a digital twist. And the crowd continued to dance.

I must say that with all of the heavy melodrama surrounding Michael Oren's role as the University's commencement keynote speaker, the music truly-thankfully-seemed to put a 180-degree spin on everyone's attitude. Contrary to the expectations of many around the world watching out for controversy, sitting in the audience was actually a good time. As far as I could tell, all the angst building up to the big event fled the room as the graduates entered to the music. The aura shifted from worried anticipation to simple pleasure as everyone present successfully identified with an element of pop culture and joined in one massive, unified celebration.

This precisely was the beauty of Paul Simon's guest performance. With the performance cleverly (or cruelly?) scheduled for right at the ceremony's end, almost all audience members remained fixed in their seats, waiting eagerly for one of the best musicians in recent history to sing.

Not speak. Not opine on the pressing issues of our time. Not even award degrees to students who spent years working toward their diplomas.

Just to sing.

"When I left my home and family I was no more than a boy in the company of strangers in the quiet of the railway station running scared," Simon sang. For the five or so minutes during which live music filled the echoing gymnasium in the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center, nothing except Simon's innocent lyrics, his genuine strum of the guitar and the crowd chiming in with the chorus could have made everyone in attendance more upbeat and lighthearted.

Sure, he wasn't really there to sing. He was there to receive his honorary degree. Michael Weil '10 and Amanda Hecker '10 just managed to pull a few strings to grant us this bonus.

But why not celebrate someone who deserves recognition for a career that has thrilled pop culture consumers for decades? Why not take the extra step to unite people of all ages, races, ethnicities and cultures? Paul Simon's mini-concert was out of the ordinary, but perhaps musical performances should be considered for future commencement ceremonies. Simon seems to have been a smash hit at Brandeis, anyway.

Atypical, modern, unexpected-with just a hint of sentimental. That's Brandeis for you. Let the sound of Sunday morning's music ring in your ears for years to come, and remember our University for these unique and invaluable traits.