Fifty-five History and Literature concentrators traded in their theses--the first due this year--for glasses of champagne yesterday in the Barker center.

Students exchanged hugs and clinked plastic glasses in celebration of turning in the theses that some have been researching and writing since last May.

"This is the culmination of our concentrators' experience," said History and Literature Director of Studies Steven H. Biel. " It reflects a tremendous amount of effort."

A few concentrators still struggling to print their theses missed the festivities. Harvard's network was down all day, and those who had put off printing until the last minute had to search for other options.

The celebrators expressed relief about handing over their masterpieces.

"I know I'm going to graduate now no matter what I do," said Jeremy J. Salfen '00. "I don't even care how good or bad it is, I'm just glad to be done."

Some said they felt numb after giving their theses away.

"It's kind of like a member of the family is gone now," said Carlos A. Monje Jr. '00, who is also a Crimson editor. "We set the table for thesis, and she never showed up."