Congratulations to Professor Dad!

Usually, I don't mention much about things on my blog that might give away our identity or where we live, and I make every effort to protect the privacy of myself, my friends and my family.  I also try to keep the focus more on my personal journey.  I hope that I can still do the former while letting go of the latter a little bit in order to take the liberty of celebrating a big moment for my dad.

Recently, Dad received the university-wide graduate student teaching award.  I'll leave it slightly vague as to the precise university.

In the past he has won other awards including one just a couple of years ago for his accomplishments in research, which was another university-wide award.  That seemed like a big enogh deal! But I've never heard him so excited as he his about this latest award, which is why I wanted to blog about it.

I know it means so much to him because it honors the true reason he (and both of my parents) went into teaching and academia: to inspire the love of learning in others; to touch the lives of students in long-lasting ways; to teach students to be thinkers, researchers, and teachers themselves; and to share their passion of Sociology with their students.

To have current and former graduate students write letters on his behalf and win this award is a wonderful tribute Dad's career. He loves research, but I think he loves teaching more. 

All I know is that if I was his student I'd probably fall in love with Sociology too.  Although in truth, I already love it! (It's difficult not to since my parents love it so much.) I've always wished I could have taken a class from my mom and my dad! Can you believe I never took a Sociology class at Davidson? (Hey Dad, Stephen Curry is a Soc. major!)

Dad invests an incredible amount of time in his graduate students.  He still wakes up loving what he found a passion for so many years ago. He still has so much he's ready and willing to contribute to the field.  No doubt, he'll continue to touch the lives of many more students in the years to come. Dad has committed the majority of his career to this one university--a place he began teaching the same fall I was born. 

Now treat yourself to that fancy golf cart Dad! You deserve it!

Love from your lifelong 'student',

Your Champ

Photo: Dad and I on my birthday. Also a Light of 2008. We spent the whole afternoon together, just the two of us. I didn't go to the ceremony because I wasn't quite up to it...but I was sooo close. (Dad, what are you going to win next so I can go this time around?) If Abbie is able to download her pictures from the big day, I'll post a couple on my blog. He was dressed all snazzy. :)