"When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people." - Abraham Joshua Heschel

As I write today, the students are returning to campus for the first day of our fall semester and I’m happy to see them back! I am beginning a new school year with them for the last time and looking forward to my own “graduation” to retirement this coming May. Each of these past 26 years, I’ve watched the ebb and flow of activity on campus from fall semester, to winter break, spring semester, spring break, commencement, summer, and back around the circle of the seasons.

There are things about the quieter campus we experience during the summer that I enjoy. The interlude after graduation is a good time to reflect as we regroup from the busy conclusion of another year of study, and look back on the recent celebration of our students’ success. I was happy to look back on a year that saw us growing after the budget woes of the past, and one that saw our IT organization lead, at last, by a CIO for the first time in our history. This summer was my last working full time here and I’ve spent much of it working to help re-imagine, and propose ways to reorganize, the IT support we provide to enhance the services we offer to students, faculty, and staff.

While the campus appears to be quieter, and there are fewer people here during our summer session classes, it is actually one of the busiest times for the IT staff I’ve lead and managed. They are very busy each summer updating the technology in our labs and classrooms, and revamping key aspects of our services and infrastructure. This summer was no exception and, in some ways, busier than ever for us. I’m proud of their dedication and hard work, and I am continuing to work with other leaders to improve the way we plan for these busy times.

There are many special times in the cycle of the academic year and this return of our students in the fall is one of my favorites. We’ve worked, and sometimes scrambled, to prepare for this return of the real reason for all we do, and the sudden presence of all their energy and purpose on campus brings me real happiness. They move across campus toward each new destination and I can see them moving toward their futures.

I’m proud to be part of a place where I can see the commitment of my colleagues to our students’ success. I love the little opportunities I have to help them on their way. Already this semester, I’ve had several chances to help some of our new students find their way in this unfamiliar campus environment. They’ve stopped me to ask directions, or I’ve seen them looking uncertain and asked how I could help. I’ve walked with them to make sure they got where they were going and I’ve appreciated my colleagues patience when the got that text from me saying I’d be a few minutes late to a meeting. When it’s for our students, they always understand!

The mood on campus will change with the changing demands of this new semester. From anticipation and uncertainty now as we begin, to determination, and some stress and anxiety, as midterms approach and papers are due. I’ll see again the panic I’ve seen when assignments and forms are due and a student, or parent, approaches me because they are having trouble printing their documents, finding the right office to turn them in, or understanding our processes. I’ll share their relief when we’ve sorted everything out and they know it’s going to be all right.

The stress and determination will rise again as finals approach and be replaced with, sometimes weary, relief as exams are completed by this December 14th. We will breathe a collective sigh of together as we leave campus for our winter holidays and I will know again the special peace I feel in the moment of stillness that follows the holidays before the new year begins in earnest.

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work at the university for more than a quarter century after spending time working in the banking industry, and in county government. My work in the private and government sectors was challenging and brought me real satisfaction. Sill, there is a special sense of making a difference that has been part of my work in education. I love looking out the window, or walking across campus, and seeing our students. They are such an uplifting reminder of why this work matters.

I am also very grateful to have been recognized last week by our president as one of several examples of all of us who work to help create an environment where our students can succeed. The best work I do is to support our students, and my colleagues, in their great work. I was proud to represent the dedicated staff and managers in our department that day. When my name was called, I heard each of their names being called with mine. I appreciate the president recognizing my efforts to help transition our IT organization for a strong future of service to the campus, and to finish my career strong as I look forward to retirement. I have great confidence in the ability of our CIO, our leadership team, and especially in all the staff, to ensure that the future of the technology services we provide for our university is bright. They make me so proud!

Soon after we celebrate New Year’s Day, I’ll begin my last semester working full time here. I’ll experience the ebb and flow once more as our students confront, and master, new ideas and skills. I’ll see the determination. stress and worry on their faces turn once more to joy and satisfaction as they prepare for graduation. I’m looking forward to my own “graduation” eight days after commencement in May. This time, I’ll celebrate with them in a new and special way. I’ll be reflecting back during that summer interlude on a career of 39 years in banking and IT with more than 27 ½ of those years at our university. I think I’ll be able to look back with pride and satisfaction. Most of all, I know I will look back with fondness and gratitude.