Graduations

James and Ian graduated on the same day, at the same time, from different places.  Luckily everyone was able to get together earlier in the day for pictures, since we couldn't all be together at the actual graduations.  Ian received his MBA from UCLA and James received his Ph.D. from the Graduate School at City of Hope.

A couple weeks earlier, James presented to his committee.  You can see by the title of his dissertation, that not everyone in the room (all of his family and friend support) understood all of what he said, but his committee was impressed and he passed.

Because of the small graduating class, each of the graduate students had a chance to speak.  James gave the best speech though (other's said so too...I'm not biased.) :)

Since James was doing a combined Residency/Ph.D. program, he had two mentors.  Carlotta Glackin and Rick Ermel were both people he came to love and look up to as he learned from them.

James often says that he couldn't have done this without a lot of support.  It was so wonderful to have all of his siblings out to celebrate that weekend.

As well as all 4 grandparents.

And of course his parents, that pushed and encouraged learning from a young age.

James has always been so good to put family first.  Even when he has so many other responsibilities and commitments to attend to, he has taken time to be with each of us whenever possible.

Congratulations James!  We are all proud of all your accomplishments.