With graduations galore, the one we attended yesterday was by far the most rewarding. 
Last year, at this time, we were celebrating Chris’ BS in Math from Cal State San Bernardino. Well, this year, he one-upped it… and then some.
The family got the VIP treatment. First we attended a special awards ceremony for outstanding graduates (five in all) where Chris received top honors as the College of 
Natural Sciences Outstanding Student of the Year. Then yesterday we got floor level seats with the graduating class as Chris delivered the class address. He got emotional while thanking me and Lisa, and so did we. I thought he nailed it when he said we created “an environment for success.” Maybe parenting isn’t so much about doing all the right things but, in the long run, cultivating an atmosphere where things can grow. Anyway, after receiving his Masters in Math (his thesis was on Poincaré duality), we enjoyed a casual dinner and he prepared to fly to the east coast.
So at 4 A.M this morning, Chris boarded a plane to Washington D.C. where he will spend 10 weeks in some think tank
thingy for bionic brains. He’ll be moving back in with us on his return, where he will begin his PhD program (thanks to the full-ride scholarship he received). We’re all so proud of you, Chris! (Or is it, Doctor D?) Watch out for college parties, liberal professors and too much free time. And “In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths” (3:5-6). Godspeed to you in all your endeavors!
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You can follow more of Chris’ DC adventures on his MySpace page, and find a video of the graduation HERE (his speech is about 1/3 of the way in under the Natural Sciences ceremonies).
How wonderful and awesome! Congratulations to all of you! Praise the Lord for his bountiful gifts! Happy Father’s Day indeed, Mike.
Wow! This is awesome, Mike. Thanks for sharing. What a fabulous Father’s Day gift to you. 🙂
wowwwwwwwwwwww!
Congratulations Chris!!!
And, Congratulations Mike and Lisa. If I could just absorb all of your parenting philosophies and wisdom … and apply it … perhaps my kids will grow up to acknowledge the same of me.
Hang in there, Ame. Sometimes, perseverance is the only — and the best — thing we can ever do as parents. I’m praying for you!
Mike – thank you for your prayers … very much appreciated. I greatly admire you and Lisa.
Happy Father’s Day … to one of the best … we would all be so blessed to have had fathers like you.
Great job to another strange math person. Don’t drink too much coffee in DC. We will miss you.
Very cool. Congrats to the Duran family!
Thanks Dad.
The last few days have been overwhelming.
I’m really blessed.
What a blessing it is to be a father, and have had the Father’s hand help us along the “fathering” way.
Personally, I’m always hesitant to take credit for the successes of my children. Not because I haven’t played a part, but more so because I know how much and how many times I’ve messed it up.
My oldest (also named Chris, but studying physics) isn’t too far behind yours, so I can imagine how very proud you are.
Happy Father’s Day brother.
Awe, how sweet! This is a tear jerker posting Mike. Well, Congrats Chris! I am so proud of you! Keep up the hard work Doctor D! 😉
– Trish
Thanks to the Professor for his one on one lessons. He helped me to actually realize the prize of learning, instead of the mentality to just want to pass a class. I love you bro, your a great role model.