Bwog apologizes for the delay in Barnard class day coverage. Our camera wasn't working and we couldn't have you just take us at our word.

On Tuesday morning, as a faint drizzle turned into a steady downpour, 597 "awe-inspiring women" graduated from Barnard, along with their president. Let me the spare you the burden of reading the rest of this post: Barnard class day won this year.

Although the college had boasted of a star-studded class day with Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Billie Jean King (tennis star), David Remnick (New Yorker editor-in-chief) and Thelma Adair (Head Start founder), only hizzoner addressed the graduating class. The rest received Barnard medals of distinction. New Yorkers are accustomed to seeing Bloomberg on TV for the occasional press conference, and he usually appears somewhat lovable, schlumpy and uninspired. But during his class day speech he was practically animated—funny at all the right times, legitimately inspiring at others—and reminded everyone why he's Joel Klein's boss and not vice versa.

He began by mocking JShap's poodle, Nora, who he called a "one poodle canine security patrol" and questioned the dog's legal right to parade about an otherwise dog-free campus. He then addressed the subject of the wall around the Vag's construction zone with the tone of an amused civil servant. "You've all spent your senior year learning to be graffiti artists," he said. "May I remind you—your tagging days are done. What happens at Barnard stays at Barnard."

This year Barnard's Class Day speakers will include New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New Yorker editor David Remnick, famed tennis player Billie Jean King, and organizer of Harlem Head Start programs Thelma C. Davidson Adair.

Bwog just ran into outgoing BC President Laura Stoffel who could hardly contain her excitement. Expect a more official announcement from Barnard in the next few days.

Worry not jealous Columbians: Luckily, there are going to be unlimited BC class day tickets this year.