congratulations to the class of '06!

june 8th, 2006 - graduation day for the department of communication at the university of washington. it took place in the HUB.

this is what the room looked like approximately five minutes before the graduates entered the building.



for the first time ever, i got a seat in the front row!

here's maria garrido getting her phd (on the right side is professor nancy rivenburgh). maria and i have collaborated on many projects, and she was an outstanding teaching assistant and research assistant over the years. congratulations professor garrido!




here's april peterson receiving her phd (professor jerry baldasty is on the right). what a pleasure to know april for five years. and what a thrill to meet her proud parents. congratulations professor peterson!



there were three senior speakers, all of them great, and one of them was dylan king. dylan and i (and usually sarah, too) have collaborated on many projects over the years - all of them fun and meaningful. dylan was a pro: she walked up, adjusted the mic, and aced it.



and then, my favorite part. the seniors rise out of their seats and make their way - one by one, row by row, sort of waddling like penguins - to the stage to receive their diplomas (professor david domke is at the lower right). this year's seniors were the best.



to all graduates - congratulations!