Graduation

This is my favorite time of semester. I very much enjoy handing out diplomas at graduation. It is so cool that at UNL we hand the student their actual diploma. The looks on the students faces are amazing - so many happy smiling faces, some of them also showing a bit of relief now that their graduation is real. There is also hope to be seen in the faces of the graduates, hope for them and hope for an even better world.

Between yesterday and today I handed out over 300 diplomas. The traffic to the ceremony today was miserable and the weather was frightful (although quite typical for Nebraska at this time of year) but I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

Graduation also means the end of the semester which means a break. I am so looking forward to some days relaxing. I hope you get a chance to relax too. My best wishes to all for the holidays.

How I spent my Friday noon hour

The life of a dean is filled with many meetings and many working meals. The lunch I had on Friday was a bit different, however. I attended the Department of Geosciences Potluck and Ugly Holiday Sweater Contest, as the surprise guest judge.

The lunch was fine and the sweaters were fabulous. I had a difficult time picking a winner and thus I sought the input of the audience. Their clear favorite and in retrospect mine belonged to Adam Huston, an assistant professor. For a picture of Adam, wearing the sweater, and me click here, but don't say I didn't warn you.