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Congratulations to MAJeff, OM, Ph.D.

One of our more popular commenters now has a couple of more letters he can tag on the end of his name in addition to the Order of the Molly. You can cheer loudly here — I don’t recommend going up to his place in Boston and ringing the doorbell, since he might be recovering from the celebration still.

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Comments

  1. MAJeff, OM says

    Thanks, PZ.

    I actually had to be up at 4:30 this morning to catch the train for class (got three of ’em today). This semester can’t end soon enough.

    Tonight, there will be imbibing, though.

  3. Nerd of Redhead, OM says

    (copied from a previous post)
    The grog is almost 4 days old by now. I suspect one tankard and you will be under the table. Let’s get started.

    MAJeff, you have been through a long ordeal, which in the middle felt like a long tunnel with no end in sight and the walls closing in on you. You have successfully come out the other side to sunshine, blue skies, and greenery. May your days be happy and productive. To Dr. MAJeff (raises fuming tankard).

  4. Fatmop says

    Congratz! I wish I had the dedication to go on to an advanced degree.. the most I’ll be getting is an MBA. Not bad, corp funded, but go you man.

  6. Josh says

    Congratulations, Jeff! Well done.

    Welcome to, as they will likely tell you some variation of at commencement, the ancient and venerable order of scholars.

    Now, keep in mind that the tam is only cool if you mash it down preferentially on one side of your head, and we do still need to teach you the secret handshake, but welcome aboard. You get to wear the slick robe, now.

  8. Bride of Shrek OM says

    Yaaaayyyyy, I’m sitting here in the dark at 11 at night with all my family asleep so I’m doing a quiet, but still animated, Mexican wave for your Herr Doktor.

    Now you’ve finished messing around can we get back to the important things like having some more of your brill soup recipes?

  9. Knockgoats says

    Yay! Well done, Dr. MA Jeff. Twenty years and more on, I can still remember the elation…

  11. MAJeff, OM says

    Now you’ve finished messing around can we get back to the important things like having some more of your brill soup recipes?

    Not mine, but this is fucking amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I made it this weekend. Next time, gonna add clams.

  12. John Phillips, FCD says

    I hope this means we shall soon be seeing more of you here again Doctor. Bet that sounds good after all the hard work :)

  13. SC, OM says

    Yay for this post! Yay again for Dr. MAJeff (not PhDJeff as I had originally thought it would be :))!

  18. Dr. J says

    Congratulations! It’s quite exciting to be done.

    I never did catch what field did you earn your Ph. D. in?

  20. says

    Worth the hassle? Worth the fuss?
    To join the club–be one of us?
    Now you’ve looked behind the curtain
    (You once suspected, now are certain)
    And seen the truth: that Ph. D.’s
    Are roughly well-trained chimpanzees,
    Hairless apes with advanced degrees,
    And narrow fields of expertise.

    You ran the maze, you beat the rats;
    I offer my sincere congrats
    Now all the strain and toil and wait
    Is done–it’s time to celebrate!
    So here’s to MAJeff! And here’s
    To all the work, and all the years
    And laughter, heartache, sweat and tears–
    (You need to hydrate. Drink some beers!)

  22. Seamyst says

    As a current MA student writing her master’s thesis… MANY CONGRATS!! Here’s hoping the rest of the semester goes easily and you have a wonderful time at commencement. :)

  23. sublunary says

    Congrats MAJeff! I don’t comment much, but I’m a frequent reader and I was very excited to see that you’re back in the comments!

    I think a PhD is a huge acheivement (I decided to swtich fields rahter then spending 5 years to try and get one)and I’m very impressed and excited for you.

    Here’s hoping you have time for much celebrating and relaxation!

  25. Carlie says

    Hooray!!!!! I remember you writing about how difficult it all was to get through – congratulations on sticking to it and coming out victorious!

  27. LisaJ says

    Congratulations Jeff! It must feel amazing to be done. I was wondering where you’d run off to… does this mean you’ll be back now in the comment threads?

    Celebrate well, you deserve it!

  28. SC, OM says

    A poem from Cuttlefish! Worth it for that alone.

    I never did catch what field did you earn your Ph. D. in?

    Sociology, of course. Why would anyone get a first doctorate* in anything else?

    *I’m seriously considering a second in a subfield of biology. Just shoot me.

  29. Tulse says

    Gratz, Dr. Jeff!

    (And, per Cuttlefish’s poem, let’s all chant “One of us! One of us! One of us!”)

  31. JBlilie says

    Congratulations MAJeff! Big accomplishment and relief I’m sure. Ready for the next steps!

  35. Louis says

    Wahey!

    Well done Dr MAJeff. Now you are one of us…one of us…one of us.

    Report to the Spanking Room* for your initiation ritual.

    Louis

    *Named after Dr Arthur Spanking, a famous person, why, what did you think it meant?

  37. Sastra says

    Congratulations and felicitations! A doctor!

    Okay, Doc — I’ve got this little pain in my foot…

  38. Ray Ladbury says

    Congratulations, Sir. I have always said that there are 2 types of theses: finished and unfinished. The former are greatly preferred.

    FWIW, for those arguing about whether life begins at conception, I found it began after I got my PhD. I defended my thesis on a Saturday–the only time I could find where I could assemble my entire committee. The defense was uneventful–as they all should be. The discussed for all of 10 minutes and then said “Congratulations Dr. Ladury,” and that was it. I went to a party that night–a boring party. While trying to stay awake, I noticed 2 things:
    1)I was wearing two shoes that didn’t match (hey, I’m a physicist, all right)
    2) there was a map of the world taking up an entire wall

    I went up to the map and started tracing out the routes I could take on the backpacking trip to Asia I was planning. After tracing out 7 or 8 different permutations of destinations, it occurred to me: I was free. I could go anywhere I wanted!
    It took me three years before I was ready to do physics again, but I wound up having a career despite stepping so far off the career track. Congratulations your studies are done. Now you can start on your education.

  45. Steve LaBonne says

    Jeff, welcome to a life of genteel poverty!

    I think he’s been there for a while already, so that part shouldn’t come as a shock. ;)

  46. Josh says

    Ray wrote:

    Congratulations your studies are done. Now you can start on your education.

    True words. The PhD isn’t the end. It’s just the beginning.

  51. says

    If I get MY PhD, do I get a poem from Cuttlefish, too?

    Seriously, Jeff, congratulations on never having to take another college course ever again if you don’t want to. That must be sweet.

  54. says

    Huzzah!!

    MAJeff, I (quite selfishly) think the best part of this news is the likelihood that we’ll now have your wisdom, recipes, and biting commentary around here again.

    I think a PhD is a huge acheivement (I decided to swtich fields rahter then spending 5 years to try and get one)and I’m very impressed and excited for you.

    I second that emotion. After I finished my MA (in English), I was too exhausted from a lifetime of being nothing but a student to go on for the doctorate, so I have nothing but admiration for those with the fortitude to continue. I did eventually “switch fields,” too: Two decades after the MA, I got an MS in Space Studies (through the University of North Dakota’s very excellent distance learning program in that field)… but to be honest, that was just for fun, and because my company would pay for it.

  56. EMUAlgaeGirl says

    Another congratulatory note couldn’t hurt. CONGRATULATIONS! You are now entitled to an entire lifetime of explaining to your family, “No, I’m not that kind of Dr.”

  57. Evangelatheist says

    CONGRATS!

    It’s over and done, so you’re ready for fun! Not quite sure who above was suggesting getting another one…three words: glutton for punishment!

    Again, congratulations.

  58. Free Lunch says

    Congratulations, Jeff, the world will never have too many informed, educated people.

  59. Sven DiMilo says

    Bully! Fab! Welcome, oh Pseudodeity of Biscuits, to the cabal. In a few days, as you know, mystick couriers will vouchsafe to you your subassignment in the Great Plan. Remember well the eldritch gestures and secret handshake that are your key to entrance to the Sanctum. Soon , we Adepts will hold sway over the entire planet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    (Stanley Fish willing, PBUH)

  60. JRQ says

    Congrats! I was also thinking it would be PhDjeff….but “MAjeff, PhD” does sound better. Looking forward to seeing you back regularly again.

  61. Sven DiMilo says

    I’m seriously considering a second in a subfield of biology.

    SC, we should talk…

  64. says

    Congrats! The pain and suffering associated with graduate school is behind you. If you decide to stay in academia, you’ll be longing for it again soon enough when you realize that that pain and suffering was actually quite pleasant compared what you encounter later on.

    Back to the whipping post….

  65. Desert Son says

    I was also thinking it would be PhDjeff….but “MAjeff, PhD” does sound better.

    That’s funny – I always read the MA part of MAJeff as Massachusetts, not a reference to a master’s degree. But I haven’t been posting here as long, so I don’t know. Could be something else entirely, for all I know.

    Anyway, congrats again, Doctor!

    No kings,

    Robert

  67. SC, OM says

    Jeff, maybe now you’ll actually hang out past 8pmAM??

    Is that too much to ask, really? ;)

  68. Janine, Insulting Sinner says

    I am sitting here, going through my sites and listening to my radio and what song do I hear? Dick Of Death by The Pansy Division. I am sure this is not really MAJeff’s style but I have to link to a version of it.

  70. MAJeff, OM says

    Thanks, everyone.

    The PhD is in sociology. the MA is for Massachusetts (but I’ll probably keep it when I move because that’s become who I am online)

    Two classes done for the day. One more to go. MAKE THE SEMESTER END, PLEASE!!!!!!

    (And the “Dr.” thing is still freaking me out)

    Thanks again.

  72. Katrina says

    Congrats, Doctor!

    I’ll jump up right now and open a nice Nero d’Avola in your honor.

    cin cin!

  73. Janine, Insulting Sinner says

    (And the “Dr.” thing is still freaking me out)

    How about if I called you Dr. Thing?

    Get used to the title, you have earned it.

  76. Madam Pomfrey says

    Hey MAJeff — what was your dissertation on? Anything to do with the social behavior of garden-variety creationist nutters?

    :-)

  78. says

    Congrats! Now it’s time for all that hard work to pay off…in more hard work. Well, you get the picture. Best wishes to you in al your endeavors.

  79. Helioprogenus says

    I guess Id be about the 80th person to Congratulate you on your PhD, but Congrats Dr. MAJeff.

    Perhaps this might be another added motivation to actually elevate myself beyond just a master’s degree, and try for a PhD. All in due time, but till then, I’ll drink for all the PhDs out there. Considering this is pharyngula, I’ll end up with Alcohol poisoning but all is well.

  83. Dawn says

    Congrats, MAJeff, PhD. An accomplishment, and one you worked hard for. Glad you are back commenting. I’ve missed your (and the food recipes!!)

  85. Physicalist says

    Many congratulations! I’d been wondering about how it was all going for you. Very glad to hear you made it through.

    I too had wondered whether the MA was for Mass. or for Master of Arts (or both), and thus whether you’d be PhDJeff.

    And good luck to Colin M.

  86. Nerd of Redhead, OM says

    And good luck to Colin M.

    Colin, may you be successfull in your defense.

  89. heliobates says

    Bravo Dr. Jeff.

    We can say we “knew you when…”!

    @Colin M

    My PhD defense is in a week, wish me luck too ;)

    I wish you good skills. You can always count on them when luck lets you down.

  91. Jadehawk says

    bah! ‘nother arrogant elitiest with one of ’em fancy degrees! an’ what is it good fer, mr. doctor? you aren’t even a REAL doctor, like my husband, who is a god-fearin’ man and doesn’t believe all your evilutionist magic! and it’s not even a degree in real science, but one of those Yogurt Knitting degrees. now, i respect history, but sociology? that’s something COMPLETELY different and doesn’t produce anything useful! all it ever does is produce liberal statists, who then steal my money to fund their pinko universities to produce even more useless, dangerous statists!

  92. Josh says

    Colin, good skills to you (I like that a lot…).
    Just remember when you’re in there, after your talk is done and the public has been dismissed, when all that’s left is you and your committee and it’s you versus them,* remember that you know more about your dissertation than they do.

    *And for those few hours, as with no other time prior or after, it will be you versus them.

  93. bastion of sass says

    Dr. MAJeff, OM, Ph.D. wrote:

    Tonight, there will be imbibing, though.

    You should let us know when aforesaid imbibing begins, so some of the rest of us can join you in a Pharynguland Ph.D. fiesta!

    Do you have a preference of what beverage we should imbibe in your honor?

  97. Stagyar zil Doggo says

    Congratulations, MAJeff. Hope to see more of you in the comments here.

  98. eddie says

    Yay! Dr Jeff, OM!
    After celebrating with drinks and friends, you should have a listen to Old Harry’s Game on bbc radio4 and bbc7. I just heard god getting stomped by a little old lady.

  100. Carl Buell says

    As a person with barely enough days attendance to graduate High School. As one who was saved from being homeless only because I was lucky enough to be able to draw. And as one who at 62 still can’t make up his mind what he wants to be when he grows up, you have my most sincere congratulations. I honestly can’t imagine how you or some of the other commenters here did it.

  101. David Marjanović, OM says

    <applause>

    I’m seriously considering a second [doctorate] in a subfield of biology.

    :-) :-) :-)

  104. bastion of sass says

    At #102 ‘Tis Himself asked:

    Congratulations. Now what are you going to do?

    I was under the impression that imbibing of some sort was on the short-term agenda.

  107. Barklikeadog says

    MAJeff, PhD !!! I was wondering why I haven’t heard from you lately. Congratulations, very much so. I still feel so inferior compared to the rest of you guys. I’m just 2 weeks away from my MS degree and feel like I have to do so much more.. My wife wants me to quit now. She’s going to kill me when she learns of my real plans.

  109. Longtime Lurker says

    Congratulations dear doctor! Tomato-fennel soup and a bottle of tequila are in order.

  111. MAJeff, OM says

    Again, thanks everyone.

    While those of you who are imbibing along with me are enjoying your evenings, maybe folks could head over to:

    http://www.redcross.org

    and donate some funds to help the folks in North Dakota (my home next fall) who are being affected by the floods….

  114. Alan B says

    Congratulations to Dr J.

    Just beware the use of the honorific O.M.

    In the UK O.M. is the Order of Merit which is one of the very highest awards made to men and women directly by the Monarch without advice from the Government. It is limitted to the Monarch and 24 living members and is given as a reward for distinguished service in the armed forces (few), science, art, literature, or for the promotion of culture.

    A brief look at the current list shows that the President of the Royal Society (the premier learned science society in the UK) appears to get this as a matter of course on the basis, presumably, that he/she only reaches this position after outstanding sevice to science.

    The Order of the Molly is no doubt well deserved but to use the honorific O.M. after the name may not be entirely suitable …

  115. says

    WELL DONE, SIR!

    Or should I say ‘Doctor’? And a very warm welcome back. Your wit and wisdom are always among the bright points on this blog.

    The MadPanda, FCD

  117. Qwerty says

    More congrats on your OM (I’m envious.) and your Dr. or PHD or whatever you prefer.

  119. DLC says

    I, who in all likelihood will never be able to append those (or any other) letters after his name, salute you.
    You’ve come a long way.

    Now.. about those initials… you do realize most people
    think it means Pile it higher and Deeper

  120. says

    Now.. about those initials… you do realize most people think it means Pile it higher and Deeper

    I thought it was about equally split between that and Phoney Doctor.

  121. Jadehawk says

    donate some funds to help the folks in North Dakota (my home next fall) who are being affected by the floods….

    woot! there’ll be another ND pharyngulite, and of such caliber, no less!!!! please say it’ll be somewhere along the amtrak line, and not in bismark…?

  122. MAJeff, OM says

    please say it’ll be somewhere along the amtrak line, and not in bismark…?

    Grand Forks. Got a gig at UND.

  123. Jadehawk says

    ssssplendid! especially since i vaguely remember there being another pharyngulite in GF (can’t remember who though) :-D

    only flaw: amtrak arrives and leaves grand forks at indecent hours, heheh.

  125. heliobates says

    The Order of the Molly is no doubt well deserved but to use the honorific O.M. after the name may not be entirely suitable …

    No problem. We won’t use it where any Brits can see.

  126. foxfire says

    Congratulations MAJeff, Ph.D., on your molting!

    May your new life bring you joy and good fortune and I do hope you continue to post here.

  127. says

    Late, but I’ll add my congratulations to the pile! That’s a lot of work any worthy of massive praise and pride. I raise a glass in your honor, MAJeff!

    (Plus it’ll be nice having you posting here again. We missed you.)

  128. SC, OM says

    Congratulations MAJeff, Ph.D., on your molting!

    I’m a bit drunk, but I liked that.

    See you tomorrow, love. Can’t wait.

    You should be very, very proud.:PPPPP

  129. AnthonyK says

    In the UK O.M. is the Order of Merit which is one of the very highest awards made to men and women

    Yes indeed, this is true. However, due to the smaller number of Orderers of the Molly, it is a superior achievement. Clearly not superiorer to your own PhD – congratulations!- but I believe that there is an ancient ruling allowing colonials like yourself the right to use the letters.
    As a Brit, it would be an honour if you wear both awards, openly, even while on our shores.
    :O)

  130. Physicalist says

    Got a gig at UND.

    And a job too!?!?! Freakin awesome! Way to go, man!

    Now I guess we really will need to know what the “MA” was for. Does he become NDJeff?

  131. says

    You mean you’re going to have a job just 2½ hours north of Pharyngula Central? We shall have to have a Pharyngufest somewhere in that area, then.

  134. Tassie Devil says

    Congrats, Jeff!

    But that reminded me…when I was at med school one of my friends already had a doctorate. We had this huge party on the day the results came out and she was staggering around with ‘Doctor Doctor’ written on her forehead in black ink.

    Oh, those were the days…

    warmest congarats again from ‘this sort of doctor’ to ‘that sort of doctor’.

  138. Carlie says

    Oh, how fabulous. I didn’t want to ask about next year ’cause, you know, that’s often a sore subject with people during interview season, but hooray!

  139. says

    Got a gig at UND.

    Ah, my alma mater!

    Well… sorta’: As a distance student in the MS in Space Studies program, I actually only spent a week on campus, and that’s the only time I’ve ever visited North Dakota (or, for that matter, that whole part of the country). Still, though, any time I hear a mention of UND (usually on ESPN around NCAA ice hockey tournament time), I feel a tiny little bump of alumni pride. (JOOC, how do you feel about Native American sports nicknames? That’s been a big issue for UND.)

    Enjoy the gerbil tubes!

  141. James F says

    Belated congratulations, Dr. Jeff! Welcome to the club! *secret Ph.D. handshake*

  142. MAJeff, OM says

    JOOC, how do you feel about Native American sports nicknames? That’s been a big issue for UND.)

    It looks like “the fighting sioux” name and/or logo will be going away in the next couple years, and it’s a good thing.

  143. Bill Dauphin says

    It looks like “the fighting sioux” name and/or logo will be going away in the next couple years

    Really? I haven’t followed it closely recently, but last I heard they were fighting the NCAA over it… and the local Sioux population was backing UND’s position.

    When I was on campus (in the summer of 2003), the buzz was that the then-new hockey arena had been funded by a bequest from an alumnus whose will specified that the gift was contingent on the nickname never being changed. Not sure how you can really enforce a condition like that from beyond the grave, but folks in Grand Forks seemed really worried about it at the time.

    My first teaching job was at a private grade school whose nickname was Warriors and whose mascot was a stereotypical Indian warrior. The incoming new headmaster changed the mascot (which I thought was the correct call ) and the nickname… which I thought was unnecessary: Separated from the Native American iconography, “warrior” has no racial implications (sadly, there have been warriors from all races and cultures), and it’s not as if this guy was a pacifist or anything. The students were all just puzzled.

  144. BMS says

    Yea!!!! My most hearty congratulations! Job well done, sir!!!!!!!!!!!!

    As one who is theeeeeees cloooooooooose to acquiring a law degree mid-life, I sincerely and unabashedly admire your stick-with-edness. I am proud to have the honor and privilege of addressing you as Doctor MAJeff, OM.
    .
    .
    .
    .
    Now. Dr. MAJeff. Onward to the subject of the canning of vegetables and yummy soups – I have some serious questions. Are you going to resume blogging, O revered god of the biscuit?

    With the highest regard,

    BMS / teac / Bonnie, high priestess of all things grilled

  145. Patricia, OM says

    Hugs and kisses to you MAJeff!

    Free grog & swill for everyone this weekend. Celebrate!

  146. MAJeff, OM says

    Are you going to resume blogging, O revered god of the biscuit?

    Considering it. We’ll see. Right now, though, I want to actually read a novel. I haven’t done that in years.

    Really? I haven’t followed it closely recently, but last I heard they were fighting the NCAA over it… and the local Sioux population was backing UND’s position.

    My understanding is that one of two main tribes they need to get approval from is basically taking the “get rid of it” approach, while in the other tribe is more internal conflict over whether or not to support it. It makes me giggle when folks get fussy about keeping it because it’s part of what the university is and whatnot. Anyone really think of OU as anything other than the Sooners, or Stanford as the Cardinal, anymore?

    Thanks again for the kind words everyone. Turning in the final printed copy tomorrow morning. So glad to just be DONE!

  147. Nerd of Redhead, OM says

    Turning in the final printed copy tomorrow morning. So glad to just be DONE!

    We hear you. Enjoy reading your novel.

  148. Leigh Williams says

    I’m late to the party, as usual, but I sent a hug on another thread, Jeff. We’ve missed you and hope you’ll be around a lot more now.

    Colin, I guess you’ll be defending this week. On the premise that it’s best to be both good and lucky, MAD SKILLZ and GOOD LUCK. Let us know when the ordeal is over so we can pop a cork for you, too.

  149. Dawn says

    OT but I need help from any readers in the Boston area. I will be attending a conference in Boston June 25-26 and would like to know of hotels in the area (can be outside Boston) with free parking and access to either the train or green or orange subway lines. I will be riding my motorcycle to Boston so I’d rather not pay the $35/day parking fee at the hotel the Prudential Center is attached to. If you have any suggestions, please email me at:

    triskele the cat at g mail dot com (remove all spaces, put symbols in where appropriate).

    Thanks!