PHOTO GALLERY: Meng Ren's family traveled from China to watch her graduate

Meng Ren, a journalism senior in the magazine sequence, waits in one of the corridors of Gannett Hall before going to Jesse Hall along with other students for the commencement ceremony Friday.   |  Naveen Mahadevan

Meng Ren, a journalism undergrad, walks to Jesse Hall for commencement along with other journalism students Friday evening.   |  Naveen Mahadevan

Mark Nicolais (foreground left) waits in line with his companion Meng Ren (center) inside Jesse Hall Friday before heading to Jesse Auditorium for Meng's graduation ceremony.   |  Naveen Mahadevan

Meng Ren's mother and aunt flash a specially made sign at the graduation ceremony inside the Jesse Auditorium.   |  Naveen Mahadevan

Meng Ren's aunt and grandfather pose with Meng Ren in front of the MU Columns on Francis Quadrangle after the end of the graduation ceremony Friday.   |  Naveen Mahadevan

Meng Ren, left, and her mother, Liqun Meng, have an after-dinner conversation in the living room of Ren's apartment, Friday evening. "MU is your home in the sea of knowledge," Meng said to Ren. Ren's aunt came from Connecticut and Ren's mother and grandfather came from Beijing to attend Ren's graduation ceremony in Columbia.   |  Naveen Mahadevan