Back in the heyday of CalArts, there are true stories of graduation ceremonies where the president of the institute would make his entrance by helicopter or where Lilian Disney (Walt's Sister) was writing a very large check to the school on stage only for a large inflated penis to be thrown from the roof of the building onto her. Once, when a students name was read, he repelled from the roof to the stage.

But the best story goes to the institute president who left by air balloon. Apparently, the wind blew him further than he wanted to go and he ended up in the desert like setting of pre-developed Santa Clarita. He flagged down a car to get a ride back to town. They said they were lost and looking for the CalArts graduation.

Graduations at CalArts are a bit more tame these days, but still are unlike any traditional college with the cap and gown. Here, you go with what you wear and what you make of it. When this LAist writer graduated four years ago, he stood in line for his diploma next to a man who painted his whole body in red. We haven't seen any people nude, clad only in a boa constrictor (like back in the 80's), but CalArts students still dress for the occasion.

Photos after the jump...