It’s highly possible that my favorite thing about working in higher education is Commencement. I’m a sucker for the pomp and circumstance, the medieval regalia, the joyous singing of the alma mater, etc. So while graduation ceremonies can be quite long, the smiles on students’ and families’ faces are worth every second of sitting in uncomfortable chairs and bleacher seats.

Last night I had the pleasure of ‘hooding’ my final four Iowa State University doctoral students:

• Dan Cox is the principal of Hoover Middle School in the Waterloo (IA) Community School District. His dissertation was titled School communications 2.0: A social media strategy for K-12 principals and superintendents.
• Trent Grundmeyer is the principal of Indianola (IA) High School. His dissertation was titled A qualitative study of perceptions of first-year college students regarding technology and college readiness.
• Nick Sauers is a former Iowa principal and currently is a Lecturer in the Department of Educational Leadership Studies at the University of Kentucky. Nick also blogs at 1 to 1 Schools. His dissertation was titled 1:1 laptop implications and district policy considerations.
• Jill Urich is the principal of Northview Middle School in the Ankeny (IA) Community School District. Her dissertation was titled Implementation of standards-based grading at the middle school level.

Please extend hearty commendations to Drs. Cox, Grundmeyer, Sauers, and Urich for successful completion of their doctorates. Ph.D. programs are long, arduous journeys and they made it through with smiles on their faces!

Pictures are below (apologies in advance for the lighting and my poor photography skills). Dan, Trent, Nick, and Jill, it was wonderful working with you!

Dan Cox

Trent Grundmeyer

Nick Sauers

Jill Urich