IT'S HERE!!!

Drumroll please . . . the viewbook has arrived!!! I've been parading it around the admission office humming the triumphant theme from Star Wars since the advance copies appeared yesterday -- it's just that special a moment.

All those publications you see on tables at college fairs? All those fat, unsolicited envelopes that get stuffed through your mail slot, bursting with materials from universities with improbable names? Right. This is our contribution to the college chaos, and I couldn't be prouder. The rubbery feel of the cover. The clear polyester layers (lots of ogre jokes as the layers were in the planning stage). The photos of so many of my favorite students. The smart, self-deprecating humor.

This viewbook is the culmination of months of work. Janice Gilson, who designs most of our publications, has been slaving away at this full-time since January. Peter, Thyra and I have proofread, proofread, proofread, and agonized over word choice and structure with an intensity that would put Tolstoy to shame.

Fun facts about this viewbook:

• We have official permission from NASA to use the photograph on p. 16. Just saying "official permission from NASA" makes me feel cool.
• We wanted to show images of student life that didn't feel staged -- so we borrowed student photos that were submitted for the yearbook. Hence Chris Mankos in the dorms with a Super Soaker. And the prank in the president's office. Good times.
• The woman on the skateboard on the cover -- yup, that would be HMC's president, Maria Klawe. That photo is staged -- you'll never see Maria riding a skateboard on campus without her helmet, knee pads, and wrist guards. (You can also see her reserved skateboard parking spot on p. 48.)

If you're a rising senior and you're already on the mailing list, you'll be receiving a copy of this shortly. (If you're not on our mailing list, then correct that forthwith!) It will also be available in PDF format on our website in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, here are a few teaser images.

Gratuitous submarine photo? Check. Tomorrowland font? Check. Doubledecker bikes, artificial noses, slide rules, child-size Jeeps, and professors on Pi day? Check. We're thrilled, and we hope you like the finished product!