A long-overdue post with many photos

It's tough blogging without a camera battery, especially when you know there's a backlog of Discovery Days photographs just waiting for their internet debut.  Luckily, said battery charger has since been located under a pile of quilting scraps, British decorating magazines, and other Colleen-themed ephemera.  So now we can get back to the important business of Discovery Days! 

Katie already posted the glamorous microphone headsets she, Miranda, and Liana sported for Discovery Days (I wore one for my presentation with Kyle on research -- more on that in a minute -- but I'm pretty sure a ponytail is key to successfully rocking the look).  Here's what else you would have experienced if you were one of the 350 or so guests who attended our two Mudd Unveiled: Discovery Day programs. 

 The ever-cheerful Pat ready to greet our guests

The equally ebullient Katie distributing schedules
 

Katie -- who, by the way, is awesome -- hand-decorated each of the tour assignment cards

Falone, Jamilla, and Thyra standing at the ready (who is Jamilla, you ask?  Well, my friends, all shall be revealed next week)

A shady spot by the koi pond, perfect for relaxing
 

Thyra's opening greeting (can you see Peter's glasses at the far left?)
 

The scintillating powerpoint on research, featuring Kyle Chakos '13
 

In between sessions, Kyle gave me a quick explanation of Tropical Algebra and its applications to string theory.  Did I mention Mudd is an unusual place?

From our perspective, Discovery Days were a success -- we had attendees from across the country, we kept more or less to schedule, and nobody fainted from heatstroke.  And three of our five microphone headsets actually worked, which given the usual track record isn't a bad ratio. 

If you're drooling over the glory of Discovery Days, and wondering why you didn't cadge a free meal in the dining halls while you had the chance, let me reassure you on two points: 1) all prospective students get a free lunch pass to the dining hall, provided they visit when school is in session (family members have to pay); 2) there's another Discovery Day!  Come to campus on Columbus Day (October 10) and I can promise you many similar elements, with the added bonus of sitting in on Mudd classes.  Yes.  Life is fortunate.

PS Remember the back story behind the printed invitation?  If you attended the second Discovery Day, you might've even had the prankee in question (Lilian) as your tour guide!  Small campus, huh?