Congratulations on your retirement! I hope you have a lot of fun adventures planned for the coming years.

When I think back on my grad school years, you are someone I think of often. You were there to help me navigate courses, learn to do research, switch advisors, teach a course myself, and finally set off into the great unknown. You were always willing to share your time, office, and m&ms, and I really appreciated all of your thoughtful feedback and candid advice. Thank you!

I am sure CSE will miss you. I sure did when I left.

I hope we cross paths again soon!

Mira

Its heartbreaking to know that you’re going away. I can remember troubling you on sooo many occasions (visit day scheduling, admission deferral, I-20 transfer, course waivers, to mention a few) and you were so patient with me and always dealt with my issues with enthusiasm. You always had a great win-win solution to every problem and I still wonder how you reply to emails so fast !

I remember asking a friend about UW just before the visit day, and he told me that he doesn’t remember much about UW, but that he remembers an awesome person called Lindsay who helped him immensely. That is so true. You definitely leave an impression on all the students.

We <3 you and CSE won’t be the same without you.

A musical number dedicated to Lindsay, especially all of the new students that she has welcomed to the department and all of the old grads that she has listened to at Friday breakfast.

– From the CSE Grads

I am extremely grateful for all the help you have given me in the past year. If it wasn’t for you, I would probably be stuck in a very bad position for a very long time. You are compassionate, calm and so easy to talk to, that I could explain my situation and tell you what I was thinking, without feeling nervous or being judged. Every time I walked out of your office, I felt 10x better and had renewed faith in myself that I could do better. I also learned tremendously from our conversations about what to do in grad school, and working in industry. Thank you so much again for believing in me and all the help you had give me. Wish you the best in your retirement and hope all your dreams come true.

Sincerely,

Edward

I met you in the summer of 1997 when I joined the Undergraduate Advising Center for a part-time gig while in grad school.  I was close to finishing that Ph.D. but my heart wasn’t really in it.  I kept going because it’s what was expected, and I wasn’t really sure what I’d do with myself if I didn’t.

When we did Dependable Strengths together that summer, I learned of your journey, the academic pathway in Romance Lit/Film left behind for greener pastures, and it opened my eyes.  You were the example I needed to see, the super duper smart person who said, “yeah, that was interesting, but I’m not becoming a faculty member.”  I decided to listen to what was in my heart rather than just what was in my intellect.

I’ve now been an academic counselor for nearly 20 years, and I still love what I do.  I honestly thank you for helping me see the light.  But of course I have much more to thank you for–you have always been a helpful sounding board, an inimitable gardening resource, such a caring friend.  Whenever anyone asks me who my mentors were, you are one of the people I mention.

All the best in your retirement.  If you’re ever over my way, PLEASE let me know and stop in to see me.  I have no azaleas or rhodies, but my lilacs are amazing in May.  And there are some plants that need identifying . . . 

With gratitude and joy,

Megan

Thank you for being a friend and counselor for us all. You are inextricably linked with nearly every memory from grad school: we met at visit days, you sent me my first email @cs.washington.edu, you helped me plan all my courses and schedule all the milestones, you handed me my diploma (or its rolled-up substitute); and you let me wander into your office and waste your time most days in between and since.

The Allen Center will be a different place without you, and I pity the generations of grads who will not have you around for advice, comfort, and cheer. How are they going to find the lightsabers????!!

We love you!
Dan

That usually won’t stand inspection.

But, taken in toto,

That gal Michimoto

Might just be that one rare exception!