Sofia Nistor was the first of several children to cross the stage with their parents at Rice’s doctoral convocation May 11. Mihaela Nistor obtained a doctoral degree in civil and environmental engineering and also procured an infant-sized gown and mortarboard for her daughter, who cooed while her mother was hooded by her thesis director, Ilinca Stanciulescu, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering. (Photo by Jeff Fitlow)