Season of Sojourning: Celebrating Big Accomplishments

Wait, who graduated?

There we go! The real Dr. Sauder.

While Jonathan technically already has his doctorate and received his diploma in December, the formal ceremony at USC only happens once a year in May. So last week he took a day off work from his real job to participate in the hooding ceremony which was, thankfully, inside an air conditioned auditorium. It was an extremely warm day, over 100 degrees, I believe, so it was hot enough just taking pictures outside--in the shade!--in all that getup!

Eddie's Grammy came all the way from IL to carry his diaper bag all over campus.

Oh, and to make sure Jonathan's collar was tucked in right!

And to celebrate the big accomplishment, that too, I guess!

I'd never been to a PhD hooding ceremony before. It was waaaaay more entertaining than your typical graduation. The "candidates" walked across the stage where they were met by their thesis advisor who did the hooding. Literally the student sort of squatted so the professor could try to maneuver the hood over their funky square graduation hat (what are those called anyway? oh yeah, a mortarboard). Sometimes they ended up with it caught about halfway over or maybe gagging the poor graduate. It was supposed to be this somber moment but actually had the audience cracking up half the time. Then they were handed their diploma by the dean, got their picture taken, and walked off stage.

There he is,

(posing with the dean and his advisor in the bottom left corner)

and the projector screen has his name, his professor's name,

and the title of his dissertation.

And that was another source of entertainment--reading the titles of everyone's dissertation. Some sounded interesting, some might have sounded interesting if I'd have had any idea what they were talking about!

Family photo under the arch!

So proud of Jonathan, and all the hard work and long hours he's put in for our family!

Speaking of working hard for our family, we got a tour of JPL again, this time with Mom Sauder and Rachel while they were in town, and also Grammy. And Eddie got to tag along too and see where Dad works! I think he was impressed.

Getting an explanation of how something works.

Even Eddie is an engaged audience!

And he looks pretty comfy there, too!

He sure did get comfortable having a doting Grammy and Aunt around all week. Now he's missing them something fierce! And I'm sure the feeling is mutual!

Checking out Dad's office.

Grammy enjoyed the tour too!

Especially since she used to work there years ago!

Here she is standing by the sign that marks the spot where her boss's office was.

And finally, this post would not be complete without mentioning some of Eddie's latest accomplishments! So it's not earning his doctorate (yet!), but they are still noteworthy!