On Monday, 2 April 2007, Santiago Ron successfully defended his dissertation. The committee, including Ulrich Mueller, Mike Ryan, Chris Bell, Larry Gilbert, and David Cannatella, listened to his public lecture at the Monday noon seminar, and then retired to a meeting room to finish the interrogation. Santiago stood his ground, and passed. The goldenrod-colored sheet was signed, as were the signature pages.

A general celebration ensued. Santiago is making revisions to meet the graduate school requirements, and will file by the early May deadline. He and Giovanna plan to return to Ecuador at the end of May.