The festivities begin with good food and beverages.
Bartender Richard Wright serves the parched crowd.

Steve Messner demonstrates the "Iron Claw Of Knowledge"
to Beth Huebner and David Klinger. Beth quickly falls into a trance...

Klinger listens intently wondering how he can ge an "Iron Claw of Knowledge"

As thu edumacated fokes we r, wee haf putt up der sine
tellin peeples wur tha drunks, er, drinks r...

Incoming Ph.D. student Brain Oliver enjoys the festivities. We'll see if he's still smiling next year...

Andrea and her men enjoy the conversation...

Jennifer Cobbina showing a rare smile. Ha!

Mark Berg in deep thought. Or a stupor. Or a hallucination.
Or maybe it's just gas.

Such handsome graduate students we have.

T.J. Taylor finds his beard growth has extended to this
teeth.

Jody and Jessica discuss their summer activities.

Chattering and laughter all around...

Mike learns he's managed to be seated next to a "live one"
as Brendan exclaims "hey listen to this one!"

"Did YOU make that sound?"

Jessica tries her hardest to give the photographer the "evil eye". PFffttt.

"Yeah it's a pink shirt, you gotta problem with that?"

Chris learns that the two beer limit didn't mean "at a time".

Kim Martin laughs because it's just so damn fun!

Michele Stacey takes it all in.

New Ph.D. student Dan Duplantier exclaims, "so the woman
of my dreams has a head THIS big..."

"Oh, was that caught on film?..."

Erin Stewart makes her first appearance at an UMSL CCJ party with daddy Eric.

Good times...

Richard, the department chair, introduces the new Ph.D. students.

Bob enjoys the fantastic food that Cathy McNeal had delivered for us.

Callie, T.J. and Beth mingle with the students

Dave Curry visits with Cathy McNeal