Engineers receive diplomas in ceremony at Palestra

But someone else beat him to the punch. "I had a nice 30-minute speech, but I have decided, after Bill Cosby, not to give it," Farrington said, drawing laughs and applause from the audience of approximately 2,000. He was referring to the entertainer's rousing address delivered at the University-wide commencement a couple of hours earlier. Still, Farrington urged the students to "take time to thank your parents and families." "These are the people who believed in you, who supported you in your dreams before you could remember," he said. "Today is a wonderful day for them as well as you." Farrington then deferred to Engineering Admissions, Recruiting and Advising Director John Keenan and Engineering Undergraduate Dean David Pope to confer 344 bachelor's degrees and to Engineering Graduate Dean Dwight Jaggard to confer 264 master's degrees and doctorates. Graduating Engineering senior Jake Dubroff interrupted the otherwise routine ceremony to praise Pope -- who is stepping down as undergraduate dean to teach full time -- for his commitment to his students, giving him an engraved mug. "Thank you, Dr. Pope, for taking a personal interest in the students," Dubroff said. He praised Pope's "zesty personality" and called him a "skillful dresser" and a "superb role model." -- Scott Lanman