Jesse's Graduation from UC Irvine 06.15.2008

After five years of bliss living in "the OC", six months studying abroad and traveling Europe, intermittent summer-time world travels (China, South Korea, Mexico), and enough encounters on and off the Anteater campus to write a book, Jesse finally managed to walk across the stage and collect his symbolic diploma to put an exclamation point on his academic career. The Family Nickles (Doug, Leesi, Rebekah, Emily) , Jake and Lucy Ballard, and John and Valerie Duda were present to witness the hallowed event, traveling south from the VC on Father's Day afternoon.

This was the second School of Social Sciences ceremony of the day (it started at 5:00 pm in the Bren Events Center) and the last of eleven commencement ceremonies at the University. Jesse majored in International Studies and minored in Conflict Resolution. What's next, you ask? So do we...and we're still awaiting an answer. Please call if you hear something.

Below are some of the photos I/we took. Not much during the ceremony as we were far from the action, it was too dark, and I was using the video camera most of the time. Hopefully Jesse won't be too cheap to buy the stage photo so we can verify it was actually him up there that we were cheering for.

Stage in the Bren Events Center

Baccalaureate candidates filling the seats.

Student speaker

The Graduate.

The supporting family.

Jesse and school friend Christina.

Jesse with Valerie and John Duda.

Rebekah, Jesse, Emily.

Jesse and Ballard Grandparents - Jake and Lucy.

The proud parents.

Dining at the Claim Jumper.

Decorations by our family party theme-ologist - Leesi.

Jesse and Valerie.

Emily and Rebekah

Grandparents Jake and Lucy Ballard.

Table games with Rebekah and John.

John entertaining himself.

Desert for everyone - on one plate. Ice d'claire? I think.

After a full day and a full evening with lots of hugs, well wishes and congratulations, we headed back home returning about midnight. Jesse plans to stay in Irvine, has a few things lined up through the University (photography, newspaper, clubs, etc.) to keep him busy during the summer, but after that we're still waiting to see.

Congratulations Jess!