What An End To My Academic Year

Every May, as classes wrap up, final grades are submitted, and graduation celebrations begin, you know the end of the academic year is approaching.

Each year is unique and full of challenges and surprises. This spring semester was an extra challenging one, with a new level of disengagement among students.

But, it was more full of joy on multiple levels for me.

First, I was chosen as the winner of the Class of 2026 Senior Faculty Appreciation Award. This is voted on by the senior class, and I’ve been a runner up twice over the last three years. Part of being awarded this is being encouraged to give a short speech at the honors convocation, and you know how much I love the stage.

I wanted to make sure that everyone in the Chapel that night knew exactly how much teaching and helping young people mean to me. I don’t do this for the money or the awards, but I do it for them. I also took the opportunity to speak on topics that were important to me, and I’m thankful it has sparked some needed conversations on campus. You can watch the speech below if interested.

I was also asked to serve as the faculty speaker at our First-Generation Student Celebration. This warmed my heart, and it is always special to celebrate these students from so many different backgrounds. It made me smile to have colleagues thank me afterward for sharing more of my story with them.

Finally, after our final faculty meeting of the year, I was completely surprised to be named the first Cheryl Vedoe ‘74 Endowed Professor of the Practice in Business and Management. Three of these endowed positions were named, and while we haven’t been told exactly what they entail, it is truly an honor for me.

This morning, after a few days of professional development workshops, my summer break begins. I spent the early hours of the day sitting in our sunroom, reading and enjoying the neighborhood waking up around me.

I’ve got trips to Mexico and Panama on my calendar. A bunch of tidying up of my digital footprint that I hope to get to. A series of videos that I want to create before the start of the fall semester. Miniatures to print and paint. Words to put down and perhaps finally finish a couple of projects I haven’t made the time to get to yet.

There are a few lingering work related things on the horizon that are keeping me from fully unplugging. Hopefully, they go the way I hope/believe they should, and then I can fully enjoy my summer. But, the academic year is over and I have a lot to be thankful for from it.