Spring Graduate School Commencement Exercise at Penn State...

The Penn State Graduate School Commencement exercise occurred on Sunday afternoon. Surprisingly brief.

Here are a few photos, with commentary:

The stage at the ceremony in the Bryce Jordan Center (17k seats).

Rose Baker received her PhD degree in Instructional Systems.

Tobin Lopes completed his PhD degree in Workforce Education & Development. I chaired his committee and was his thesis advisor.

Yuki received her PhD degree in Workforce Education & Development. She was my hardworking Graduate Assistant. I am going to miss her!

Yeonsoo Kim earned a PhD degree in Workforce Education & Development. She attended my Colloquium and worked as a Grading Assistant in my data analysis course.

Yuki, Sanghoon Bae, and Yeonsoo Kim.

David Gliddon, Yuki, and Yeonsoo.

Dr. Yuki with her diploma.

Passmore and Tobin Lopes at graduation exercise with Tobin's Magic Fairy Wand, with Pink Feather adorenment.

Rose Baker and her daughter, Francie (on left), at a post-graduation party at Profs Gray and Grabowski's home.

Passmore and Tobin Lopes at a post-graduation party at Profs Gray and Grabowski's home.

A great celebration!

The 2006 Passmore Graduation BBQ...

Last Friday night, I held a graduation party at my house for some of the students who are graduating with a PhD from our academic program and who work with me.Catered by Clem's BBQ. Great food. Easy clean-up.

Here are a few photos, with commentary:

Tobin Lopes is talking on the phone while holding his wand. I gave each graduating PhD student who attended a Fairy Princess Pink Feather Magic Wand. Each is expected to produce magic. Of course, at graduation, they get the secret word and the secret handshake.

From the left at nine o'clock, are Holly Hosterman, Brenda Lopes, Rose Baker (PhD graduate and my collaborator on research involving numbers, math, and statistics), Frank Baker, Francie Baker (with the Coca-Cola), and Dan Baker (back to camera).

Tom and Ted. Tom is graduating with a degree in business. He will move to Rochester, New York, where he will work for Ryan Homes.

This is a side view of Ryan, who will be employed, starting Monday, by Seton Hall University. He will be a graduate student in English, work as a student advisor, and teach sections of freshman seminar.

Tobin used his magic wand at the graduation exercise Sunday. Distinctive touch!

I am 59 years old today...

I actually flew that plane.

In the search committee meeting with chocolate toffee...

I am on the search committee to find a Vice Provost for Information Technlogy for the Office of the President at Penn State (see announcement of position vacancy). I am in a meeting of the search committee right now.

I have in my hand a 12 ounce cup of chocolate/toffee coffee from MacKinnon Cafe in Pattee Library on the University Park Campus of Penn State.

The last big thing is over...now, on to the next big thing...

Rose Baker and I finished yesterday our day-long economic development for the Capital Regional Outreach Council on the Penn State Harrisburg campus (see summary). Two and 3/4 hours from our home in State College to Harrisburg (delayed by someone's car accident along the way). Then, 2 hours back. Here is one of the over 100 slides we used:

NOW...on to the Penn State Idea Futures Market. Our partners at NewsFutures built the web site for the Market. Rose and I must finish updating the site. Here is a capture of the opening screen for the Market: Not much room for coffee today.