December 16-17, 2005 - Penn State University Park Graduation
Steve Sokolowski graduated from Penn State and was visited by friends and family.
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A Brass Quartet
This small group played traditional marches as parents waited.
Awaiting the scholars
These chairs sat empty before as the scholars lined up in the hall.
Gramps and Christopher
The Presidents' Room of Penn Stater Conference Center and Hotel was a superb venue.
The beginning
Dean Calvert called the ceremonies to order.
Filing in
The graduates filed into the room as the band played.
The graduates
No diplomas were awarded at this ceremony, so the tassels remained on the right side.
More graduates
Steve Sokolowski is visible here, third from right, as the ceremonies were called to order.
Again, more graduates
Again, Steve Sokolowski, this time second from right, awaits the beginning of the Schreyer Honors College medals ceremony.
Looking at the camera
Steve looks at the camera for a brief pose.
Faculty procession
Everyone remained standing for the faculty procession.
Rodney Erikson
Rodney Erikson, Executive Vice President of Penn State, began the ceremonies with a few words.
The President speaks
Graham Spanier also had a few words of wisdom.
So much to say
If Dr. Spanier didn't have enough time to say everything he wanted, he had three more opportunities on Saturday.
Adjusting her hat
One graduate was spotted adjusting her cap multiple times during the ceremony. The caps were uncomfortable and cheap.
Looking on
Dr. Spanier looks on as a high-ranking official in the honors college begans calling the names.
Thanks, parents!
The parents and spouses received a standing ovation from the scholars for their money and their emotional support.
Nice job
Next, it was the parents' and spouses' turn to stand and recognize the scholars' achievements.
The interim president
Clay Calvert, acting as interim president, was charged with joking about the meaning of popular rock groups' names.
Finishing up
Dr. Calvert finished his speech relatively quickly, and all the speeches were (thankfully) brief and well-spoken.
Reception
After the ceremony, the college held a reception next door.
Well done
Sarah and Eric finally made it to the ceremony after unforgiving snow and ice delayed them the day before.
Switching attire
Here, Henry Sokolowski wears Steve's medal and cap.
Long time gone
Henry Sokolowski attended Penn State 64 years prior to this medals ceremony.
Chatting with the Associate Dean
Dr. Ozment, a former chemistry teacher at Penn State Abington, is now Associate Dean and was spotted talking with family.
More chatting
Steve Sokolowski enjoyed Dr. Ozment's chemistry class in Fall 2002.
DDR
Dance Dance Revolution was a hit; Steve owned seven games in the series.
Chilling at the apartment
There wasn't much chilling at the apartment after the Olive Garden as things quickly turned competitive.
As always
Henry Sokolowski, who spends enough time on the phone as it is, managed to find someone else to call while the celebration was going on.
Competitive DDR
John Silvestri was no match for Sarah Duncan in this DDR war.
Giving up
Eventually, everyone became far too tired to continue playing and the conversation turned to a Google Earth demonstration of Southington, CT.
I won't be beat!
Eric hung around a little longer and decided to keep trying to learn DDR.
Conversation
Several lively discussions ensued.
Bryce Jordan Center
The BJC was the site of the morning and afternoon undergraduate ceremonies.
Faculty procession
The faculty processed into the arena at their leisure.
The wooden pole
The wooden pole held by the first faculty member in the procession was salvaged from the first Old Main and has been used in the 331 previous commencement ceremonies.
A few words
After everyone was seated, Dr. Spanier was the first to say a few words.
Awarding the degrees
Unlike the ceremony at the University of New Hampshire, Penn State's ceremony included reading the names of everyone who attended.
Filing up
As people walked up to the stage, a "Nomenclator" who practiced specially for the occassion read most of the names perfectly.
Engineering
The College of Engineering was called second-last.
Sitting down
Here, Steve Sokolowski has a seat after shaking hands with Dr. Spanier and being handed a one-year membership to the Alumni Association.
The Alumni Association
Much fanfare was made about the Penn State Alumni Association, and here a speaker inducts everyone into the Association. Penn State has awarded over one half-million degrees.
Recessional
Students filed out of the ceremony.
Faculty first
In all ceremonies, Dr. Spanier entered the building last and left first, preceded or followed by the faculty.
Up the stairs
Huge sets of stairs were set up at the back of the Center, and students filed up them to conclude the ceremony.
The end of the Engineering group
Steve Sokolowski was the second-last to have his name read and thus was one of the last to file out of the stadium.
Posing
With everyone now in attendence, it was a great moment for a group picture.
The IST building
The Information Sciences and Technology building was the next stop on the trip. Here, everyone gathered around a table for lunch.
The Department of Computer Science and Engineering
The Department of Computer Science and Engineering sponsored the free lunch for all of its graduates and their families.
Enjoying the atmosphere
Other families enjoyed lunch while overlooking Atherton Street.
The Graduate Ceremony
From left to right, Sarah, Eric, Steve, Christopher, John, and Gary stood in the 20-degree weather before the graduate degrees' ceremony.
It's cold out here
Family only
Henry Sokolowski was the only member of the family able to attend the ceremony. Other members of the family had planned on attending but fell ill when the day arrived.
Again, family only
Good night... or afternoon
The ceremony was so exciting that Sarah and Eric just couldn't stop dreaming about it.
Empty chairs
At the beginning of the ceremony, the stage stood empty for the platform party in advance of the procession.
Please rise
The ceremony began as a faculty member instructed everyone to stand.
Yet another processional
The fourth processional of the weekend began, as usual, with those of lowest academic standing first.
Finally in
After everyone had filed in, Dr. Spanier began his remarks, which were little changed from the undergraduate ceremony.
Opening remarks
Dr. Spanier, wearing the symbol of his office, provides the opening remarks of the graduate commencement ceremonies.
More remarks
Dr. Erikson certainly had a busy weekend, giving speeches and directing commencements.
The NSF
The commencement speaker, the only one of the day, was the head of the National Science Foundation.
Blackness
Reading the names
Again, all of the names were read. Here, students walk across the stage to be recognized.
Starting dinner
A huge bash was planned after the graduation ceremonies, but almost everyone fell ill, limiting attendence.
Sarah
Sarah frequently reverted to this pose when someone made fun of her or when she wanted to displease Eric.
The room
The gathering was held at the Hilton Garden Inn, on College Avenue, east of the campus.
Again, the room
Not visible from this angle is a Christmas tree and the snowpiles blocking the windows behind it.
Imitating Sarah
Chris decided to sit in Sarah's seat and imitate the expression she frequently used.
Eric and Chris
Soon, joker Eric joined in on the fun and pretended Chris was Sarah.
Steve and Sarah
To annoy Eric further, Sarah began making rounds of the guys across the table.
John and Sarah
Perhaps the best picture of the entire group, Sarah flirted next with John Silvestri.
Gary and Sarah
If Gary's girlfriend sees this picture, she will probably kill him.
Gramps and Sarah
Here, his wife already saw the picture, but still thought the picture of the Hooters girls was more prestigious.
Fireside chat
A final photo of the entire group before departing.
A stupid fireside chat
In contrast to the previous photo, this one went a bit overboard.
Back at the apartment
A few pictures of the apartment decorated for Christmas were taken before the decorations were taken down and shipped back to Philly.
A mess
Here, the family cleaned the apartment before leaving for the holidays.
The snow
The foot of snow that covered the ground is clearly visible out the back door.
The hall
This hall leads to the bathroom and the bedroom.
Chris, asleep
Chris slept through the undergraduate ceremony on Saturday morning, but still didn't have enough energy to get up from under this blanket to smile for the camera a full day later. He didn't even go to breakfast with everyone!