During graduation exercises at the end of June, 93 students from 26 countries received Master of Science degrees in our Computer Professionals Program. This is one of the largest, most international, and successful graduate computer science programs in the U.S., with more than 700 graduates from 80 nations in the last 14 years.
Formal graduation activities began with a delicious catered outdoor dinner for graduates, family and guests. Relatives from distant locations including Nepal, Jordan, Ethiopia and The Philippines came to celebrate the happy occasion.
Following the dinner, MUM community members packed Dalby Hall to experience the highlight of the year--the annual awards ceremony where each academic department honors its outstanding graduate, and the winners speak of great appreciation to the faculty, staff and fellow students for their fortunate education here.
Because the MSCS class is so large, two deserving graduates were honored this year: Erdembilegt (Ebe) Janchivdorj from Mongolia, has received praise while doing his practical training at a software company on the MIT campus in Cambridge, MA; and Najeeb Najeeb from Iraq, who is now on the Computer Science faculty.
Saturday afternoon Graduation was held in the Golden Dome--highlighted by the main address by Stephen Collins, the distinguished American actor, writer and musician.
The weather was cooperative throughtout the weekend. Celebrations ended on a high note with the annual Computer Science picnic at Waterworks Park, where students, graduates, faculty and guests enjoyed wonderful food, and a variety of recreational activities, including the great canoe race. National pride was evident as fun-loving teams from Cambodia, Ethiopia, Mongolia, Nepal, and The Phillipines competed with teams from mixed nations. It was obvious that some had never canoed before, but everyone had a great time. The race ended with a splash as students waiting on the dock greeted returning canoes with blasts of water, and canoeists splashed back with their paddles.
