I think the first version is incorrect, and it feels like a fingernail on a blackboard. What do you think?

From a purist’s perspective, the school graduates students, and the students “are graduated from” the school. However the most common contemporary usage is “He graduated from,” an intransitive verb followed for a prepositional phrase. “He graduated college” is informal but is used conversationally.

Of course, so is “I done finished college.” 

I never heard “I graduated college” until I lived in Maryland.  I was educated to say that I graduated FROM said institution.  As with the previous reply, I must take into account that MDers say “ambilance” (stress last syllable; you are saying ambulance), “Bawlmer” (Baltimore), and this odd one:  “I’ll call you when I’m done my homework.”  AACCHH!  Talk about nails on a chalkboard!

Welcome, Lily. I agree with you. Check out Idioms>Regionalisms on the forum. Maybe you can add some Maryland stuff there.

Thanks!  I will look there, as well. 

Just curious…what’s your background?  You really know your stuff!

Thanks. Click on my profile on one of my post (former English teacher, avid reader, lover of anything language related). However, there are many interesting and intelligent people here. Our interest in language bonds us together, but our diverse backgrounds create a special forum group.