WWU professor's final thoughts turn to celebration of education

Far too often in academia, the faculty at colleges and universities overlook the central function amongst their professional activities: the education and development of their students. When I look back at my teaching career as a professor of geography at Western Washington University, what provided me with the deepest sense of satisfaction was facilitating my students' learning and research. That involvement and commitment to teaching took on many manifestations, including directing graduate student research, serving on thesis committees, directing field camps and organizing conference proceedings. The reward: a career encouraging and guiding the intellectual and personal development of my students.