In view of the deep feelings that are reflected in this Easter morning edition of the Citation de la Semaine awards, the selection committee asked that I post them in strict alphabetical order, without the usual introductory comment, and with no honorable mention, runner up, or winner designation:

Business Prof - "We all came here for the best of reasons. Your post made me remember why I came here and have stayed all these years. Reasons similar to what you posted. Now as we get to retirement we can't wait to leave. I'm also sad since so many in my college have gone either through retirement or they are young enough to leave while they can."

Clara the Barton - Thanks Robert for a very comprehensive blog on the sad situation at the USM school of nursing. I wish that these were the only problems we have, many are small but much of our defeatest attitude is one of a depressed faculty that has lost its spirit and optimism. The students feel it, they know what is going on and how different their education is from previous years.....We want to stay here, this is the school that in the past was known as the most progressive school of nursing in Mississippi, not just the largest.....everything a real school of nursing should be doing.....Now, we are barely able to keep up with an undergraduate program."

Cossack - "I have bragged to my friends and colleagues at other universities about what a great place this is to live. Until recently, it was the best place I have ever lived, having resided in seven states. The events of the past two years have left me depressed and angry. I am depressed because I no longer have pride in where I reside. I am angry because I feel betrayed. I have supported the university with my energy and money, donating both to athletics and academics. Now, like many other faculty, I have been told that I am not respected and that USM would be better off without me.....Silly me, I have been here for many years and I was under the illusion that I was a member of the community and was regarded as a valuable citizen. I was not aware that under the surface I was really viewed as a lazy piece of crap that was earning too much money."

disgusted student - "When I came here three years ago it was a school with an excellent English department. I have watched in horror as everything meaningful to a student was destroyed before my eyes. Professors began to be treated worse than prisoners of war. I was there the day that Dr. Stringer was locked out of his office and it is a day that I shall never forget. The same feeling of destruction and degradation is everywhere. It is not limited to the English department. Insteadd of a stroll on a beautiful campus to enjoy the rose garden one can only feel poison in the air."

Exhausted of the process - I'm a season ticket holder, eagle club member, fan of the arts and symphony. I spent lots of money with local businesses. I do extensive service work in support of the community. I have talked to people inside and outside the university who should be able to make the necessary, meaningful changes in USM's leadership. I have not been effective. I will not retire here.

foot solder - "This part of leaving USM was the saddest for me. I had thought Hattiesburg was my home. But I opened the paper everyday and found that no matter how hard I worked, how well I taught, or how much I shopped locally, I was hated. In fact, the bitter feelings I have about this make me not even want to set foot in the town for the post-Shelby celebration and board coming out party.....Since March 5, I've felt like someone who has been grieving a dead relative. You think you're starting to feel better, then the anniversary of their death comes around and you are plunged into grief again. The meetings and ridiculous charges this week haven't helped. Hundreds of miles away, I'm wandering through the grocery store doing my shopping, but sadly thinking about USM. One of my new colleagues said, "but it's not your problem anymore." I still feel like it is."

Joker - "Senior faculty in my department (and others) are retiring early because they no longer get enough fulfillment from their work at USM. And that kind of satisfaction cannot be acquired from salary.....Most love their work and never went into this profession to get rich."

Love thy Neighbor - "It is hard to overcome all of the bad feelings that have surfaced in the last few years. No matter how hard I try I can't forget that some of the business people I thought were friends let me know in no uncertain terms that they believed every word Thames was telling them and they expected me to do the same.....We could be friends on any other issue but not that one.....I avoided them but still carry scars from the hurt and bad memories. Even now when some of them have made a point of coming to me and telling me how wrong they were and are trying to do something to demonstrate their sorrow about past actions. The ugliness seems frozen in time and stands between us.....I have seen these people now without mask and if I look too long I will turn into a pillow of salt. Better to move on and start over.....Nothing can heal under these circumstances.

Old Prof - "I hadn't thought of this until last year. However, I am now at least thinking about leaving. It's affecting how I work as I now think more about improving my vita and less and less about contributing to the institution. I go to more meetings now just to circulate and quietly look for another position. My sense is there is a lot of this going on. This is a big change in my perspective and I don't think I'm alone."

Pity Party Planner - "Thanks to everyone who posted on this thread, you gave voice and for to my feelings as well--the sense of isolation and abandoment some days makes feel like . AAUP's message board has been a lifesaver. The community has been a hugh disappointment to me as well.....The environment has become too toxic for me; I will have to save myself in spite of my loyalty to USM and my desire to retire here. And for me, that is the saddest of all."

Registered Voter - "But I can not stay where I do not feel welcome. When I first came here I didn't know the USM faculty was seen as lazy liberals. NO QUARTER."

Sad - "When faculty members choose to stay in Southern Mississippi they do so knowing that they are making a sacrifice salary-wise. That sacrifice, for many, has been worth it because quality of life here. That quality of life recognizes a value system and a certain amount of tradition. However, when many in the community refer to us....as "lazy whiners" (and probably "liberals" from "somewhere else" besides) we leave for better universities at higher pay. It's a shame. Message to community members who have been reading the board: Many of us came here to be your friends and your neighbors and your teachers. We sacrificed to be here because we thought the community wanted us. Our children don't have to to go schools in trailers. We don't have to accept below national, regional, or even state salaries. We don't need the stigma of being associated with a 4th tier school on academic probation."

Soon to be "former" professor - "I too am sitting here on a Sunday afternoon, feeling like the best years of USM are behind ME. My colleagues and friends in my School/College/whatever and in other departments are for the most part gone. The campus feels strange as if I was "left behind" after Armageddon. I too get my hopes up just to see them dashed.....So, yes I am sad today, I worry about my students, I wonder who will teach them when I leave this year; I worry about being a "quitter" and yet, for my own mental health, I can't survive another year, let alone another four years, of this tyranny. I love my work and did not consider money as part of that career choice; but being afraid that I could be terminated for my beliefs, as were my heroes, Gary and Frank, or punished at the very least with an instructor's schedule at GP, has become more than tiresome; I am no longer able to keep up with my own work and teaching as I have in the past. Fatigued, broken and even my family has suffered far too much.....My love for USM is only surpassed by the admiration and respect I have for you all who are keeping your eyes on the prize and staying the course and taking high moral ground. You are the unsung heroes of this train wreck and I am grateful to have this message board as my own private therapy to help cope with such sadness. I am proud to be one of you; it is truly an honor to say that I am a tenured faculty member at USM who tried to fight the good fight by your side....."

Survivor - "I envy you. All of my friends have left. For me all that is left of collegiality is a message board in cyberspace. Thank God for small favors." 

The Last Sad Prof - "Soon to be "former" professor, I loved your post because it could have been from me. I go back to the McCain era and I feel like someone who enters a movie late and must stay for the next showing to get the whole movie. Well, "this is where I came in" except I never thought I could ever say this is worse than McCain's era. Someone keeps referring to it as a Soap Opera with a new episode each week. I too have many colleagues and friends, who either left or plan to leave. Friends in the community who were close are no more because they believed the PR, spin and their "business leaders," which resulted in our trust for each other being diminished."

The Green, Green Grass of Home - "Many faculty are too invested in the state retirement system to leave right now, and many will finish out their academic careers in Hattiesburg. It is possible that the events of the past three years will affect their decision to stay in town after retirement? One of the draws of USM was its being a pleasant community to raise children in or just live in. Will the newly acquired knowledge that many community leaders have worked hard to make the faculty miserable affect people's decision to stay or go? Will the knowledge that the soft drink company manager, the local restaurant owner, the banker, and the car dealer have disdain for you make a difference? Will driving past the campus be an unpleasant reminder of bad times?"

Third Witch - "I had such a sad conversation with someone yesterday. This person is feeling the effects of the USM situation ripple through their church and social life. Speaking of a particular Thames Crony who is active in this congregation, my friend said, in effect, "I don't know what to do. I know what my priority should be (to be a brother or sister in Christ) but I'm having trouble with it." The person will forgive my paraphrase of their remarks. We've often commented on the way the Resistance has brought people together and formed new and sometimes unlikely friendships, taught new levels of respect across disciplines, and built a stronger and more united faculty than USM has ever seen. But there is another side. What relationships have been destroyed? How are you folks dealing with the personal and social fall-out from this mess? How has it affected our lives in unforseen ways?"

Up and Away - "I think I will never again live in Hattiesburg. I have learned too much."

1/USMITT - "I feel the same way about my season basketball tickets. I've held them since before Nitchampburg; even during bad seasons I supported the team because it was "my" university. I don't feel that my university loves me anymore, or ever cares about me. Accordingly, I don't feel the same devotion or allegiance that I once did."

On behalf of the entire Mr. Wonderful organization, let me say to today's recipients that the selection committee appreciates your insightful comments. Thanks for sharing your feelings.