Notes upon “graduating”
Tom Nash

The gist of what I said on June 15 at the Alumni Meeting is that I'm very proud to have worked in our department for 25 years, with so many memorable students and colleagues, with whom I've learned so much. The many alumni present that day brought back many great memories—all the courses, the numerous activities and projects, Freshmen Camps, student plays, discussions, papers, and homework. It's here that I learned how to teach linguistics, remembered how to stand on my head, was encouraged to sing and play the harmonica, and made many good friends. If I can look back on what I might have contributed to the department, I'd say that I've probably had some influence on all students through the organization of the Conversation and Composition courses, Introduction to Linguistics, and the applied linguistics electives that we have now offered for many years. Ray Schulte and I have offered the innovative course Poetry of the Blues several times, as well as Poetry in the Works of Bob Dylan in the Fall 2007 semester. Yuan Yun-Pi and I offered another one-of-its-kind course in Taiwan, Statistics for Language. As Fr. Bauer reminded me on the 15th, I also started the tradition of “moving the tassel” for graduating students during Commencement. I could only do that, of course, because I was department chair (1993-1999; acting chair most of 2003-2004). I have a special place in my heart for those students and professors who are no longer with us. In their memory, let's all go on living and learning as best we can.

In the 2008-2009 school year I'll still be teaching part-time in the department, and after that I'll do some other type of work, yet to be determined. Eventually, I'm going to take a bodysurfing trip around the world. If you'd like to get in touch with me, I'm sure the department will always be able to find me.