Commencement 2012

It’s that time of year again. The grackles are out, squawking at the almighty winds while the computer and screen printing lab become eerily silent and empty. Commencement is this week for the graduation class of 2012 at The Center for Cartoon Studies. Tom de Haven is a celebrated American author and this year’s commencement speaker (along with student-voted graduate, Dakota McFadzean).

De Haven’s publications include the Funny Papers, from which we appropriated our announcement, which explores the rise of newspapers and hand-in-hand printed comics from the time of William Randolph Hearst through the created history of comic strip Derby Dugan. De Haven continues his historical narrative to the 1920s-30s in Depression Funnies and further to the 60s-70s in Dugan Underground.De Haven’s book It’s Superman chronicles life for the Kent family and provides an almost true-to-life feel Superman biography.

Students will be happy to know De Haven is a thorough creator. While creating all three Derby Dugan books, he only read books or listened to music during the time period. While writing a mystery graphic novel series called Green Candles, De Haven became a licensed investigator, fully-tested and a pretty crack shot with a hand gun.

The 2012 Thesis projects have all been turned in and we’ve enjoyed reading them slowly and savoring the boundless creativity captured and pinned in the panels of comics. Come join the entire student body, parents and townsfolk this Saturday at 11am in Northern Stage for an excellent commencement service followed by a reception at The Center for Cartoon Studies to admire all the thesis work on the walls!

–Jen Vaughn

Schulz Librarian