ECE picnic celebrates seniors

On Thursday, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering hosted an annual picnic for the 76 graduating seniors and the graduate students. The picnic was held outside the Hulman Memorial Union.

Around 15 faculty and staff, as well as around 18 students, showed up for the event. The professors and students were busy preparing food for themselves and talking about anything or their senior projects.

Sue Dayhuff, the Department Secretary provided some information about the history of the event. “I have been here for 24 years, and the picnic was an annual affair before I started my job. At that time, Herman Moench had all the students over at his house.”

Photo: Christina Davis Faculty and seniors from the ECE department enjoy a picnic Thursday afternoon celebrating the seniors’ upcoming graduation.

“Before Moench took over, Dr. Niemeyer was here and had it out on his farm. They did fishing and all sorts of things,” said Dayhuff, stating that the event has been around since the early 1960’s.

Dayhuff mentioned that the picnic used to be at Hawthorne park when Barry Farbrother used to be department head. “We keep it on campus, which seems to work for the students.”

“This is just our own little graduation party for our seniors and grad students,” explained Dayhuff, “It is a time for us, as a department, to get together with them, have some food, fun and fellowship.”

Nathan Shomber, a senior computer engineer and electrical engineer, enjoyed the festivities. “It’s a good time to hang out with professors and get free food. Senior projects are over with, so all we have to do now is turn in the paperwork on Monday.

Scott Ruskamp, a senior computer engineering student, also enjoyed the food. “Why else would we be here?”