Spring Semester 2025

This is turning into the semester of honors. I never thought I'd win awards for teaching or for anything else. After twenty years at my university, I felt my groove was sufficiently polished and that I'd stay quietly in it.

But lo and behold: In the past month, I have been initiated an honorary Brother of Kappa Kappa Psi Fraternity (for band), I have won my University Provost's Award for Excellence in Research and Creative Activity, and I have won my School of Music's Excellence in Teaching Award.

 

 To the Brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi, I say, "Perhaps my increased visibility as the Voice of the Marching Mountaineers helped lead to my initiation. Whatever the reason, I thank you, and I shall NOT be one of those honoraries who never shows up! You can count on me, and I will look forward to it."

To my dean, James Douthit, I say, "This is not the first time you have nominated me for a campus award. I appreciate your appreciation of me and your using your position to make it known. Thank you. This Provost's Award was a huge surprise."

To the students of the Hayes School of Music, Appalachian State University, I say, "Thank you for thinking of me when it came time to award something this year. Even after all those Theory corrections and long quizzes, you saw fit to put my name forward for this. I appreciate it very much, and I love seeing you in class every day. Please go and be successful, and may what I impart to you change your life so that you can change others' lives."

And on top of all that, a month ago I submitted an expense report for a trip. It was accepted and reimbursed on the first try. I believe the world just might be ending soon.