Nakhjavani Graduates from Rice University

Omid Baradaran Nakhjavani of Mercer island, WA, graduated from Rice University on May 12.

Baradaran Nakhjavani received a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Khan Academy founder Salman Khan delivered the commencement address.

Rice University President David Leebron congratulated the graduates with a handshake as they walked across the stage.

This year Rice awarded 1,665 degrees, including 881 undergraduate and undergraduate professional degrees and 784 graduate degrees (master's and Ph.D.s).

The Class of 2012 is the 99th graduating class in Rice's history.

Located in Houston, Rice University is consistently ranked one of America's best teaching and research universities. Rice will celebrate its centennial year in 2012.