Maybe it was the distraction of the inflatable woman being tossed about bythe graduates.

Surprised giggles followed after Medill Dean Ken Bode referred tojournalism students during Friday’s commencement by that nickname theycan’t seem to escape: Medilldos.

“Ken was trying to say something catchy and funny,” said Medill Prof. JonZiomek. “Some people might not have thought it succeeded as well as hewanted it to.”

Eve Fischer, a Medill graduate, was one of those people.

“I spent three years of my life trying to dispel that stereotype, and heannulled all my efforts,” she said.

It wasn’t the only amusement of the afternoon. The graduates did their bestto distinguish themselves and make one last mark as “that funny kid.”

They hooted like Arsenio. They waved like royalty. They donned capsdecorated with messages – “I’m done,” “No more midterms” – fraternityletters and Snoopy.

The Peanuts character was adorned by Joseph Liu, a Weinberg graduate.”(It’s my) last chance to do something goofy,” Liu said.

A beach ball and balloons were pummeled back and forth, and McCormickstudents tossed out a few last paper airplanes.

Slavic languages and literature Prof. Gary Saul Morson, the Weinbergconvocation speaker, advised the graduates not to stop being children, andmaybe their spirited antics suggested their compliance.

“It’s kind of scary because you can’t use being a student as an excuseanymore,” said Olivia Chen, Medill ’00. “People expect you to be grown-up.”