From the Chair continued from page 3
Not bad for an Air Force brat from El Paso.
I have so many people to thank for my years of service to the College. First, Jennie, my bride of 44 years, has put up with a husband who always says YES when asked to volunteer for any professional organization and wonders where this next job will lead. Second, Haynes and Boone who supported me in pursuing my College dreams. I have been a partner at Haynes and Boone for 26 years, and my partners and colleagues constantly encourage me to support the College. My assistant Kyle Kemp who always knows where I am and covers for me when I can’ t be found. Our wonderful College staff, CC Schnapp, Jenny Cudahy, Rachel Lee, and Michelle Foster who keep the College and the Foundation humming. Our retired Executive Director Shari Bedker who guided me in the right direction time after time. Finally, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Deborah Williamson, Zack Clement, Berry Spears, Becky Roof, Richard Carmody, Vince Lazar, the late Joel Kay, Pat Vance, Stephen Lerner, and Clifton Jessup. Their steady support, generous friendship, and willingness to lend guidance whenever needed have meant more to me than they know. I am deeply thankful to each of them for walking alongside me throughout my College adventures.
The relationship between the Chair and the President of the College is a partnership. I have had the two best partners you can imagine. Melissa Kibler, our immediate past Chair, who shined a light on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in her leadership at the College, and Trish Redmond, our current President, who is solid as a rock in making sure we have the resources and tools to follow our Mission. Special thanks to Former
Chairs of the College who mentored me and taught the ways of the College, Mark Bloom, Marc Levinson, Chris Meyer, Jan Baker and Paul Singer. Each left their mark upon the College, and each made an impression on me to continue to build on the excellence they had established.
As I close this chapter, please know that my gratitude runs deep. Serving you and serving this College has been the greatest privilege of my professional life. The friendships, the conversations, the shared commitment to excellence- these are the treasures I take with me. Though this is my last Column as Chair, it is far from a farewell. Like every Hasta La Vista moment in my life, this one carries with it the certainty that our paths will cross again. I look forward to many more years of learning together, laughing together, and advancing the Mission that binds us. Thank you for allowing me to serve, for inspiring me, and for making this journey truly unforgettable.
The Road Goes on Forever and the Party Never Ends – Robert Earl Keen
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