I took two pictures of her conclusions, during her defense.  One showing her. . . .

       . . . and one showing the actual conclussions:

      (Photography can be so funny.  :) )

      Witness the concentration!

      :)

      (At least she's using a MAC!!  :) :)

      Normally, I finish these things the night before (or, at the latest--the morning of).  this one, however, I was working right up to the wire!!  Fortunately, I had Jason McDonald to help me.  :)

      Jason is really cool.  :) -We worked together on the 2005 Red Green River Regatta---which was a smashing success.  :) :)

      A picture of the (WHEW!) finished hat:

      A bit of explanation. . . . -Erica's hat was--arguably--the most difficult hat I have ever had to make.  On one hat, I had to work in puns for: [Solar] Flares, SNOE, NO (nitric oxide) production in response to [solar] flares---and the "DEM model." -No small challenge. SO. . . .

      On the near left front, is a solar flare---complete with some nice prominences.  :) ;) On the opposite corner, the tourist snow globe represents SNOE---S.tudent N.itric O.xide E.xplorer.  On the near right corner, these dudes are saying "NO" (That is, nitric oxide.) (not very visible (. . . .)), in response to--you guessed it (!)--"flare-ups." :) :) (A note here: One wouldn't believe the looks one gets---buying a 15-inch roadway flare (and "Preparation H" hemmorhoid cream) late at night in Alaska. . . .) ( :) :) ) And the dudes in the far left corner have a sign saying (not visible) "Dem Flares Gonna' Rise Again." :) ;)

      Click here for the complete lyrics to "Dem Bones Gonna' Rise Again." :) ;)

      I'd like to propose a toast!  [It was] A non-alcoholic one.  (There seems to be some mystifying concern over the size of Erica's tummy. . . .  :) ;) )

      Erica: "Now what is THAT?!

      Explaining the hat/Erica's reaction:

      :)

      Erica's reaction:

      (Right to the very end, I honestly didn't know---just how she was going to respond.  :) :) (I was most relieved---to see that it was "positively." :) ;) )

      Group reaction:

      :) :)

      I took these next two pictures, because--as a group--space physicists tend to be "frightfully peripatetic." :) :) -I didn't know when the lot of them might be together again--if ever.

      And this is Todd Parris.  :) Todd is about the coolest dude you're ever going to meet.  :) He also takes a lot of pictures, 'n stuff.  (He took some of the ones in this one [link], for instance.  :) ) (Please note that he is not to be confused with Todd Paris--who also, like, takes pictures around UAF, 'n stuff.  :) )

      DR. Rodgers:

!!!!****CONGRATULATIONS****!!!! Dr. Rodgers!! :) :) :) :)