To my fellow posters, many of whom have become dear friends:

Sometime Monday I will have to take down this computer and prepare it for my move to Austin late next week. I wanted to take just a minute to say a heartfelt "Thank you" to the posters on this board who have kept up a (mostly) clean-cut and (always) lively debate regarding the issues surrounding our beloved university. I would like to think that I have contributed one or two worthy comments in this running stream of conversation. But, I know that I have learned far more than I have contributed both on this board and in the processes with which I have been involved over the past year.

Leaving Hattiesburg, though it has been in the planning for months, is now upon me. I will leave early next Thursday, having given the dog a tranquilizer to make his ride more comfortable, to move 600 miles away and begin a new chapter. I've been here just 23 months, but it has become a home to me and I am saddened greatly to leave the university, the city and so many wonderful friends and colleagues behind. I'm not leaving because I "don't love it." I'm leaving in spite of that fact. I suspect that many of our quality faculty who have left could say the same, and I have heard them say so.

I won't be leaving this board. You may not hear from me for a bit as I settle in, but I will be checking in and staying abreast of the ongoing saga. UT-Austin, my new academic home, is a terrific university. Does it have its share of problems? Of course. Universities are flawed organizations made up of flawed individuals. And, in the case of universities (unlike some organizations), these individuals are largely the brightest and best of society -- the thinkers. This makes them particularly vulnerable to controversy. As is often the case, our greatest strength can become our greatest weaknesses. It's mostly a strength here.

USM has MORE than its share of problems, and I do not think it is wrong at all to lay the vast majority of those at the feet of its leadership team -- by which I mean (using 'leadership' loosely), Shelby Thames and his loyal administrative supporters. Will it survive this debacle? I am encouraged to believe it will survive, but only because conscientious people of integrity, character and perseverance will make it so. I refer, of course, to the faculty and staff who dedicate themselves daily to what must often seem a "lost cause."

A special word of thanks to the local chapter of AAUP and its leadership. Folks like Amy Young, Mike Forster and others who encouraged my involvement and even my graduate student membership in the organization, are amony my many heroes here. I would be remiss, also, in not mentioning publicly my great admiration for Myron Henry, Ray Folse, Anne Wallace (too soon gone from us), Stephen Judd, Jameela Lares and quite a few who would prefer I not mention them by name but who certainly know who they are and how I feel about them. Finally, my dear faculty in the School of Social Work, every one of whom is dedicated to providing a quality education -- one which I received gratefully, all know of my undying respect, regard and affection for them.

So, I depart soon for another place and another school. But I will be back in Hattiesburg, maybe even for the coming out party. It remains my fervent hope and full belief that this will be before June of 2007.

My best each of you!
DJ