Max's Thesis Defense

Max's thesis defense was this morning. Here he is waiting for the remaining member of his committee to show up.

Here Max is fielding a question of the form: "Your question [the one on the screen] is worthless. Please comment."

Here Max is fielding a question of the form: "Your graph [the one on the screen] is worthless. Please comment."

Eventually the professors threw us out and continued to grill Max.

Then Max came out into the hall with us while the professors decided if he passed or if his entire graduate career was worthless. (If you fail your defense, you can't re-take it. You're just screwed.*)

"Congratulations, Doctor." Actually, a different professor said that. This one said, "Next time, I'll get you, my pretty! And your little dog too!"

Here Max is putting on his extremely expensive academic robes.

Incidentally, we're now going to refer to him as "F. Maximum Doctor".

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* Acutally, there was no suspense. This basically never happens. Any minimally competent advisor will let you take your defense only if he/she is confident you will pass.