Pertz listed himself as “In An Open Relationship” with “Josiah’s Thesis.”

QUITE A-MUSE-ING

In need of encouragement, Anicia C. Timberlake ’05 purchased a thesis mascot, a pet plant named Karl Liebknecht.

She named Karl after a German socialist, as she is writing her thesis about the reinterpretation of the idea of German musical traditions that took place in the Weimar Republic.

“Occasionally I talk to Karl and tell him to grow,” Timberlake says.

When Karl got sick two days before Timberlake’s due date, she became worried about her thesis, since he was supposed to be cheering her on.

While Karl is Timberlake’s muse, Ilan T. Graff ’05—who is writing about the role of entertainment media in advancing social values, by looking at Superman’s relationship to social theory and moral values—need only look around his room for inspiration.

In addition to a large Superman hanging from his ceiling, Graff has acquired a lunch box, a poster, three action figures, and comic books—all Superman themed.

While Graff will hand in his opus on Thursday, the memorabilia will be a constant reminder of the time he and his thesis shared together.

As Graff says, “I’ll likely need super strength to lug back the piles of books, but the Superman decorations will probably stick around to remind a energized second semester senior of the continued importance of truth justice and the American way.”