Education: The Diplomas They Get

At Golden, the Colorado School of Mines graduated its largest class (290 engineers) in style. Instead of a sheepskin, each graduate received a five-by-six-inch diploma of sterling silver. The text of each of the four-ounce plates had been photo-engraved, but President Ben H. Parker had to sign them all by hand. He used an electric vibrating scribe, a gadget that looked something like a fountain pen. Said President Parker: "There was nothing to it."

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