A grey and dreary day here in Schenectady for the 216th Commencement at Union College. This is probably healthier for the graduates than the years when it's sunny and hot and people pass out in their seats, but it isn't the most pleasant send-off. Then again, my own college graduation was a grey and dismal day, and that's worked out all right.
This year's class of Physics majors was small, but stellar. We only had four majors, but every one of them graduated with both departmental honors (for doing thesis research) and Latin honors ([superlative] cum laude), and those honors were well deserved. Things have never worked better-- in my lab, in the Department, in the student-run outreach activities-- than they have when this class was involved. The College will be a different place without them.
So, congratulations to Brandon, Alex, Ben, and Shivani (and also to Dillon, Frank, and Elliott, this year's minors). It's been fantastic having you all around for the last four years, and I wish you all the very best in your future endeavors.