The PhD thesis “Evolution of sunspots and the role of the coupling between atmospheric layers” was submitted to the University of Freiburg, Department of Mathematics and Physics. The thesis committee consisted of three professors: Svetlana Berdyugina (supervisor), Thomas Filk, Tobias Schätz (chair). The exam started with a public presentation of the thesis results and followed by an enclosed discussion session. The thesis committee concluded on the successful examination. After the exam, the happy candidate was crowned with the doctor hat made by KIS colleagues (see photo).