The festivities begin with good company, drinks, some spicy sausage and beverages. Here Andres and Emily regale some veteran party-goers with tales of their move.
Spicy Sausage. Where's my drink?
The party brought together people from all eras in the department. Not only did we have three new faculty and five new Ph.D. students in attendance, but we had Al Wagner and Cathy McNeal returning to celebrate with us.
Gack. Spicy sausage. Gack.
Cathy McNeal and Al Wagner dream of the good old days when they were still with us.
Mouth. On. Fire.
Incoming Ph.D. student Ethan Amidon cracks a smile for the camera.
As alway, Andrea Nichols has a smile on her face. Though we don't get to see her nearly enough in the office we can always count on her for the big party!
Breanne Pfega...PFleeg..Flie, ugh.. Pleggenkuhle!, an incoming Ph.D. student smiles in anticipation of the upcoming best years of her life.
Finn "Badass" Esbensen watches over the kids to make sure they behaved. He was also paying attention to the graduate students too.
Dan Duplantier prepares to steal yet another piece of food off of Ethan's plate. Ethan may wonder why his food seemed to go so quickly.
Jody, having just returned from Sri Lanka enjoys the company of her colleagues.
Krystal, an incoming Ph.D. student cackles at one of the faculty member's witty humor. What a lucky student.
Kim asks "Did YOU make that sound?"
Dan looks accusingly at Kim. Is it her food he's after too?
General chatter among the crowd.
Rick, a closet cowboy, inquires when he can next ride some horses at the Esbensen's Estate.
As the night progresses, things get crazy. Here we find Natalie tickling Dena.
Why does Mark look like he is pouting? He must have used all of his clever Life is Hell drink tickets.
Not-so-New Ph.D. student Dan Duplantier.
Hee hee!
Janet shows a new party trick. Andres looks away and TJ can't believe his eyes.
Cathy and Jennifer Cobbina catch up.
Rick and Finn going over important business.
Three new Ph.D. students bond over sausage.
Andres and his standard demeanor.
Jennifer has clearly hypnotized TJ.
Michele Stacey smiles demonstrating her glee for another fun year in grad school!
Kristin, another new faculty member smiles in anticipation of many great years to come.
Just like Santa Claus, Dave Curry brings smiles to everyone's faces when he arrives.
Clearly Jennifer has hypnotized Mike C. too. What is going on in that corner of the room?
Emily sings her rendition of Bunny Foo Foo to TJ. "Here comes bunny foo foo, hopping through the forest..."
Someone sneaks up behind Janet and startles her. Someone is going to get a beating. She sees the likely culprit...
Rick claims innocence while he attempts to throw a junior faculty member under the bus. Richard laughs in the background. Little does Richard know that the culprit is sneaking up behind him at that very moment...
The prankster is revealed as he prepares to scare Richard.
Lee and Cathy watch the antics of the others. Cathy reassures Lee that it will be okay...
Beth Huebner flashes a blinding smile to the camera.
Jody Miller acquaints herself with the new students.
Kristin Carbone-Lopez enjoys a delicious Life-is-Hell adult beverage.
Brad Brick is caught again by the camera-person. His attempts to foil her fail once again...
Dave Curry mingling with the others.
Three new Ph.D. students bond over spicy sausage.
Andrea too enjoys her Life-is-Hell beverage.
Kim and Ethan banter and crack each other up.
