History Concentrators Graduation Reception 2006

A celebratory crowd of five hundred people, history graduates and their families, gathered on Friday, April 28, 2006 to honor the History Concentrators in the Class of 2006. Nearly half of the 225 May and August graduates gathered in the Modern Languages Building Auditorium 3 to be recognized by the History Department for their accomplishments.

Department Chair Mary Kelley welcomed the group and introduced the speaker of the day, Associate Chair and Professor Juan Cole. Many of the graduates have taken Professor Cole's large course, History 241, America and Middle Eastern Wars, or Islam in Global Politics, at some point in their careers. Professor Cole discussed the role of historians as one of looking at the past to better understand the present.

Professor Matt Lassiter followed with his five main points of advice for graduates noting that "life can be uncertain when you are in your early 20s and that's OK". He called each graduate to the stage to receive congratulations and a certificate from Professor Cole. An enthusiatic round of applause from parents, grandparents, siblings, spouses, and children, expressed the pride and joy of the occasion.

The faculty and staff of the History Department join in extending congratulations and best wishes to each new historian in the Class of 2006.
One hundred graduates in the Class of 2006 gather in the MLB for the History Graduation Program on April 28, 2006.
Professor Mary Kelley welcomes the graduates.
Juan Cole (above right), Professor of Middle Eastern and South Asian History, shares his thoughts on the role of historians in society. Professor Matt Lassiter (below) passes along his advice for handling the early post-graduation years.
Professors Lassiter and Cole team up to call each graduate to the stage to be presented with a certificate from the History Department.
Proud family members and friends applaud and cheer the new graduates.
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