[my phd graduation day - july 16 2008]

It feels like grad actually arrived quite quickly. I submitted the thesis the first day back after Christmas hols in Jan.'08, had the viva in Feb. and then the graduation ceromony the same year! I was the last graduand to be awarded a degree during the ceremony and had time to admire the surroundings. De Montfort Hall was filled with smiling graduates, the organ player who leant an air of tradition to the proceedings and numerous proud and loud friends and family. I can't believe it's all happened and now I can look back and it's already the past and I got to wear that bonnet!

I had an amazing supervisor - a great teacher and supporter (check out the lovely post she wrote) - Prof. Sue Thomas who was there at grad. dressed up in her finery. Thanks Sue! My thesis advisor, Prof. Andrew Hugill also helped me immensely though sadly I missed him at my grad. ceremony (I think he was busy with honourary PhD recipient Howard Rheingold who received his own degree that same Wednesday afternoon!). Thanks too to my external examiner Dr. Ruth Page who helped me be the first ever IOCT phd graduate!