Derek's Graduation

Our third semester at Texas A&M University has finally ended and Derek went out with a bang! He graduated with his masters in business, or MBA. I’m so proud of him and how diligent he has been during the last year and a half. Derek and I both started our graduate programs at A&M in the fall of 2008. We met at the beginning of the semester and started dating shortly after. Many of his MBA classmates told him he was crazy to date while being so busy with school. But he surprised everyone and didn’t just date but proposed and got married while in his program. Derek also survived a bad case of mono earlier this year. The poor thing was so tired all the time and suffered a terrible sore throat. Again, he surprised us and pulled through the semester. Throughout his program, Derek has had to work with a lot of different people on different papers and assignments. Can I just say that if I had to choose anyone to be in my group I would choose Derek? He is so smart, and creative, and he works so hard. Derek recently worked on a consulting project for Continental Airlines with a few other classmates and they presented to one of the vice presidents of the company. They were given the assignment to design a simple staffing model for the maintenance guys who work on the ground services equipment. Instead, they delved a little deeper into the matter and found out that the problems were rooted much deeper in the company. So basically what they presented to the VP of Continental was a complete change in organization and management of the ground services division. The VP loved it and will present to the President of the company. Needless to say, I am very proud of Derek and I am so happy for his accomplishment.

Derek’s parents and his little brother, Trent, came down from California for graduation. We’re glad Trent was able to make it considering he broke his femur and fractured his pelvis just 4 weeks ago. By the way, he’s doing fantastic! The Mays Business School had a special graduation for the MBA students and it was very nice. We had a great time with Derek’s family and we are grateful that they made the trip out to support Derek. Who knew Bill (Derek’s dad) was a pack mule, too? They helped us move some of our stuff out and Bill packed up way more than we were planning on, which was greatly appreciated. Derek and I are now living in Sugar Land with my family while I complete an internship at Memorial Hermann hospital. I’ll be working with cardiac rehab patients and I am really excited about this opportunity. Derek will be working on his thesis and job searching. We’ll finally be done with school in May when I graduate and then we’re off to who knows where! We hope you all enjoy your holidays and have a very Merry Christmas!

Love, Derek and Christie Egbert

Unfortunately, this is the only decent picture I got of Derek walking across the stage to get hooded.

Derek had to work in teams each semester and this was his favorite group.

Trent was riveted at the Derek's graduation ceremony.

Derek's parents, Trent, Derek, Christie, my parents. One big happy family at graduation...just missing brothers and sisters.

Trent snuck in on this one. He's such a ham!