"True to the Red and Grey..."

It's finally here! I officially have my Master's degree!!! I'm pretty much in shock that I've made it this far in my education. I remember graduating from high school six years ago... and I never thought I would be where I am today. Heck... I didn't even know what engineering was. I just went with it, mostly because my high school math and science teachers told me to. But look where's it has brought me! And I couldn't be more thankful...

The past two weeks leading up to graduation have been jam-packed with activities. 

• Last Wednesday night was the induction ceremony of the Order of the Engineer at the American Society of Civil Engineers North Jersey Branch awards dinner.  I was inducted two years ago, and as a member, I help with induction ceremonies on a regular basis.  As a member of the Order of the Engineer, you receive a stainless steel ring that you wear on the pinkie finger of your working hand.  This signifies that you have taken our oath, the 'Obligation of an Engineer'.  By taking our oath, you pledge to conduct yourself ethically, and to treat all those in the engineering profession with integrity and respect.  The ring is worn on the pinkie finger of your working hand, so as you sign a set of plans or documents, or sign your name to anything engineering related, the ring touches the paper.. sealing the oath with it. I really enjoy inducting engineers into the Order.  It's a great society to belong to!
• Last Friday night was the Graduate Students Awards Banquet.  One of my professors, Jon Miller, came with me. There was a cocktail hour in the library, and the dinner was in the Canavan Arena.  The Provost, George Korfiatis, spoke, and graduate awards were given out.  I received an award... the ASCE Student Chapter Award for Outstanding Teaching Assistant!!! I was so happy! I am the teaching assistant (TA) for two undergraduate classes in the civil, environmental and ocean engineering cirriculum: fluid mechanics and water resources enginering. Being recognized with the award means so much to me! I love being a TA. I really enjoy helping students with their homework and reviewing for their exams with them. It's very rewarding.  Here is a picture of me, my professor Jon Miller, and another ocean engineering Master's student, Minglu Gao at the cocktail hour of the dinner.

• Saturday and Sunday, my professor Jon and I represented Stevens at Ocean Fun Day! Saturday's Ocean Fun Day was at Island Beach State Park, and Sunday was at Sandy Hook. Ocean Fun Day is a chance for kids to come learn about the ocean and environment.  We have a wave tank we show kids, that has a wave maker, and an aritificial beach with sand. We show them the effects of big waves in the winter that erode the beach, and how the beach is naturally replenished in the summer from the smaller, lower energy waves.  It's fun to explain the beach to children, and see them understand the natural processes taking place.
• Monday night was a senior ball for the undergraduate senior class of 2009.  One of the professors I TA for, Leslie Brunell, asked if I wanted to go with her... so I did!! It was at the Liberty House in Jersey City, that over looks NYC. It is absolutely gorgeous there! There was a cocktail hour and a buffet dinner.  Here are some pictures from the ball.  The first is of me with my two good friends, Wynne Lewis and Gus Rath, both seniors.  The second is of the graduating class of civil engineers!!!

• Wednesday afternoon was the final meeting for the senior class of 2009.  At the end of the meeting, I helped in yet another Order of the Engineer ceremony.  We inducted about 52 graduating seniors into the Order of the Engineer!  We conducted a ceremony at the civil engineering holiday party two years ago, but we didn't induct nearly as many people.  I hope they continue to induct seniors during senior week.  Next year, I think the plan is to induct the seniors at Convocation in September, so the underclassman can see the ceremony and have something to look forward to when they graduate.
• And graduation was Thursday at 4:30!! There were about 900 graduate students graduating, so the ceremony lasted a while. Our ocean engineering department had the most graduates ever... 6 Ph.D candidates, and about 7 or 8 Master's students! Graduation was on the athletic field this year, and the weather was beautiful! You couldn't ask for a more perfect day. My parents came, along with my Aunt Judy, and my Great Aunts Margaret and Theresa. We took pictures after the ceremony with my professors, and then headed back to my apartment for dinner.  It was such a nice day...

So I have two graduations down, and one to go! But that won't be for another three years. But that's the BIG one... Ph.D!! I won't believe it til I see it!   :)

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But look where's it has brought me! And I couldn't be more thankful...

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Congratulations on your Master's degree! It is a very good and important achievement. You looks amazing on the pictures:) I hope you will find an excellent job and you will success, good luck!

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I really enjoy inducting engineers into the Order. It's a great society to belong to!