Hook Em!

Saturday was a milestone day in my life.   It was on a Saturday, May 18, 1974 that I graduated with a degree in journalism from University of Texas at Austin.   Perhaps I’ve come full circle.   39 years after graduating from this greatest of universities, I was in the shadow of the UT Tower for the 130th Spring Commencement of my alma mater, this time photographing for the Austin American-Statesman.   Much has changed through the years, but much is (thankfully) the same, at least on this patch of land.   8,300 students became UT graduates on this special evening.   Among them was Shelby DeMuth (she’s second from left in the group of four ladies), who hails from my hometown of Texarkana.   Shelby, a Marketing graduate, has already landed a job in Manhattan!  Another very young fellow I photographed, 5-year-old Sanders Thomas Wiggins, is also from Texarkana!   He was there to watch his grandmother receive her PhD in Education.  An interesting side note:  Sander’s grandfather, Paul Wiggins, graduated with me from Texas High School!   It was certainly hot, but Jeff Rasansky of Dallas came prepared with his nifty blue portable fan that mists water.   I’ve gotta get one of those!   Here’s a few photos from this happy occasion.