[Cally Conan-Davies]

Yesterday we attended Cyn Neely's Commencement ceremony at Pacific University in Forest Grove where she received her MFA in writing.

Many of us have read Cyn's work, mostly on the non-met forum, though believe me, she demonstrates considerable formal muscle in many of her poems we haven't seen workshopped here!

It was a joyous event, and it was a privilege to share it with Cyn and her family. We were also thrilled to attend her excellent final presentation last weekend which was enthusiastically received by faculty and students alike.

We await the book, Cynders!

And while we wait, let's all raise an airy glass to congratulate Cyn on this significant accomplishment!

Here's a link to some highlights! (The party lowlights afterwards were even better!!!)

[Jesse Anger]

Nice, Cyn!

pssssst, Cally o, the link's down...

[Cally Conan-Davies]

Onto it, Babe! Give me a mo... They are worth seeing - she GLOWS!!

[Susan McLean]

Congratulations, Cyn! It is a big moment. Enjoy it.

Susan

[Cally Conan-Davies]

I think the link is working now. Is it for you?

[Jesse Anger]

Yes, there they are!

[Susan d.S.]

Hearty Congratulations, Cyn! Wonderful to see the photos.

[Cally Conan-Davies]

I updated the blog post with a few more photos of people you might recognise, David Ahh! I know one is Ellen Bass, Cyn's supervisor, and another is a shot of David St John and is it Anna Journey?? His wife? I hope Cynders will pop in later and tell us who they are.

Updated blog post! - with a few more drinks under our belts...

[Cyn Neely]

Thanks all

There's a shot of me getting a hug from Jack Driscoll (fiction). Ellen Bass (poetry) is in the red dress. Yes David St John (poetry) and his wife Anna Journey (poetry). Mary Helen Stefaniak (non-fiction) with Ellen. Debra Gwartney (non-fiction) on stage as faculty speaker. Susan Cohen (poetry grad) was on my thesis committee and I on hers. We are both members of the mutual admiration society. I think her poetry is terrific.

My husband Tom, there with me, took some pics too, which once I figure out how to get them I will send to Cally - some nice photographs of Cally, the photographer.

I do not intend to use the degree to find a job. I began the MFA journey in June 2011 and although it was incredibly demanding, it was a wonderful way for me to find a community and to learn the discipline of writing every day. I am a stronger writer for it.

It was wonderful to have friends to share the accomplishment with. The champagne flowed. A good time was had by all.

[Alex Pepple]

Congrats, Cyn, on getting it done!

...Alex