Last week, Diane and I drove down to Pittsburgh to watch Patrick defend his dissertation at Carnegie-Mellon University. The defense was held in a large classroom. About 50 faculty members and students showed up to watch Patrick talk about the privacy issues he studied for the past six years. One of the requirements of the defense was putting up at least 10 posters announcing the event. If you want to see more and read more of Patrick’s work, click here.
Patrick delivered a 45-minute PowerPoint presentation. Then there were 20 minutes of questions from the audience. Then 30 more minutes of grilling by Patrick’s doctoral committee. Then we all had to empty the room except for the committee. After some deliberation, the committee told Patrick that he had successfully defended his dissertation. Patrick has to tweak his dissertation a bit before he submits it to the Graduate School, but for all intents and purposes, he has earned his dissertation. Patrick will be “hooded” at a graduation ceremony in May. Congratulations, Patrick! We’re very proud of you!
Go, Patrick. That’s a pretty daunting procedure.
We have our own 2.0 and she is going to be the John Grisham writer in residence at University of Mississippi 2013-14. A bit step leaving New York for her.
The John Grisham Writer-in-Residence at the University of Mississippi…has a nice ring to it, Patti! You must be very proud!
Congrats to all!
Thanks, Bill! You know what it takes to get one of those Ph.D.s.
Not that you’re proud, or anything, right, George?
Congratulations to Patrick for all his achievements (and for giving you some bragging rights)!
My mother has Alzheimer’s but when I told her Patrick successfully defended his dissertation, she said in a moment of lucidity, “Patrick is following in your footsteps. Those six years of hard work were worth it.” That really made me feel good!
Wow, he makes me feel like even more of a slacker than I already am. Congratulations to Patrick. He’s made his parents very proud.
Patrick’s work schedule makes me feel like a slacker, too, Jeff. I don’t know when the kid sleeps (other than on planes, which I could never do).
Is there going to be a picture of Megan with Grisham? Other than the whole moving to Mississippi thing this is a big deal. Congratulations, Patti.
Good on ya, Patrick! You’ve done your parents proud (was there ever any doubt)!
Thanks for the congratulations, Beth! I’ll pass them on to Patrick.
Well done, father and son. Patrick got those brains from somewhere, you know, and I doubt it was at a swap meet. All this displays a level of tech knowledge that amazes me. Outstanding work, Patrick!
Yes, genes are important, Rick. But work ethic and grit came with these kids.