To my friends in the NDT/CEDA community -- After careful and lengthy deliberation, I have decided to leave my position as DOF at Illinois State University and my involvement with college debate. I have been involved with debate for all of my adult life, and making this decision in some ways is like severing a limb. However, after receiving tenure two years ago, I have now been approved a sabbatical for Fall of 2009, when I will be engaged in pursuing some scholarly projects that are very near and dear to me -- projects I've been unable to accomplish since I was involved with debate and administering the program here. In my absence, ISU had to find some way of administering our program. After considering several options -- including a stopgap measure for just the semester of my leave -- we all decided it would be best for the program and for me if a replacement was located. As a result, I will continue to be a cheerleader for my program here at ISU and for debate in general. Yet, I will transition into a regular tenured professor role, allowing me the time that I have greatly lacked in the past years to devote to my teaching and research. I have many friends in the debate community -- friendships that I sincerely hope will continue. While I won't see many of you very regularly, the beauty of the digital age and conferences permits us to maintain our relationships. My close friends -- and you know who you are -- have impacted me in some very profound ways. My life is richer and stronger as a result of your friendships. I can't begin to express how much the debate community and the debate activity have impacted my life. I sincerely wouldn't be where I am today if it were not for debate and the opportunities it provided for me. But, after rebuilding two programs (Mercer and now ISU), I am ready to embark on new and exciting areas. As I do so, I will leave ISU debate and speech in very capable hands. Justin Stanley, whom all of you know, will remain as our Director of Debate. Our new DOF will be Kevin Meyer. And, as I said, I will still be around to help when I can. So, I bid all of you farewell. I wish all of you continued success. I also hope that academic policy debate continues to thrive and be supported. It has taught me many lessons, and it will forever impact who I am. All the best, Joseph Zompetti
Associate Professor School of Communication Illinois State University Campus Box 4480 Normal, IL 61790-4480 (309) 438-3277 [email protected] [email protected] Everything you can imagine is real. --Pablo Picasso **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1215855013x1201028747/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072%26hmpgID=62%26bcd=De cemailfooterNO62)
_______________________________________________ CEDA-L mailing list [email protected] http://www.ndtceda.com/mailman/listinfo/ceda-l
