Group
Traditions
THE DONUT
John Ferguson handing The Donut to Wesley Pirkle
History of "The
Donut"
The story of The Donut begins in 1985, when Dr. Epstein first established his
research group at
DONUT UPDATE: On June 20, 2008, newly graduated Yurii
Bataiev passed The Donut to doctoral candidate Louis Nemzer.
Stephen Etzkorn handing The Cookie to Youngmin Kim
THE COOKIE
History of "The
Cookie"
The "General Exam Cookie" or, as it should more properly be termed,
the "Candidacy Cookie," is a sugar cookie with M&M's®
baked into it. Its use is an outgrowth of the concept of the "Doctoral
Donut" (which begs the question, "Should we also have, for example, a
Master's Muffin?"). The holder of the cookie is expected to be the next in
the Epstein group to take and pass the Ph.D. Candidacy (General) Examination.
It was introduced to the group by Darren Gebler, whose wife, Rachelle, baked a
batch in honor of his successful completion of this step toward graduation.
This particular cookie remained left over after the celebration. Hence, it was
decided that a treatment parallel to that of the "Doctoral Donut" was
warranted. A label on the container in which it is kept has been signed and
dated by every successful candidate since and including Dr. Gebler. Upon
completion of the examination, the holder of the "Candidacy Cookie"
then passes it to the student next expected to undertake the test.
Ruthie Shima cuts her cake while Dr. Epstein looks on
THE CAKE
History of
"Cutting the Cake"
As if we didn't have enough food related milestones, each group member is
presented with a special cake when he or she bids farewell to the group. Usually
it showcases some of the departing member's data and is (fortunately) the only
symbolic food that gets eaten after the ceremony. [Although the donut still
looks surprisingly edible for 20 years old].
More Cake Cutting Pictures:
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