It has been a roller coaster year, but I did want to take the time to wish each and every one of you a happy holiday. I go into this season with the firm conviction that things will eventually get better. I believe in my soul that each of us gets exactly what deserve, good or bad. We may not get what we want when we want it. We may not get what we want how we want it. However, eventually we all get our just desserts.
The happenings at USM have been more difficult on some than others. I do understand that when your job is affected, it is your livelyhood and that in turn affects how you support your family. The stress can be unbearable at times. But I also know from being in a similar situation, things will turn out much better than you can imagine. After the dark comes the light and it is so much more beautiful than your dreams. Believe it.
I wish each of you and your families a joyous holiday season. I hope that each and everyone of you has hope for the coming year. I wish, just like all Miss American contestants also wish, for world peace. May you be blessed with good things in the comming year.
Likewise, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Much gratitude for the support and kindness of many board members, and a hearty bah! humbug to a few trolls.
Warmest holiday wishes to friends and colleagues still in Hattiesburg and at USM who continue the good fight for shared governance, academic freedom, academic standards, and all the other qualities of a respectable university.
May we all ring in the New Year with the joyful prospect that Shelby Freland Thames, a truly "world-class" evildoer, cannot possibly last much longer as USM's president!