A Fond Farewell

03/30/2012

Lucie Howell

    CEDO’s Academic Program Officer, Mark Jones, asked me to write a blog earlier this week for the CEDO website.  I was very flattered by the request and started to think about all the fantastic things I could write about.  I thought about a piece about the importance of diversity and inclusion and what it means to me.  I thought about writing an in depth piece about my feelings regarding STEM and K-12 education.  I thought about an article that recognizes there is a balance of responsibility that needs to be developed and understood between student learning and an institution’s teaching or education delivery.  However, what I realized through these high fluting thoughts and ideas is that what I really want to say right now is ‘thank you’.

    Today is my last day working at Michigan and in the College of Engineering and I wanted to let you, the whole fabulous community that I have been privileged to be a part of, know that I have had a blast.  When I started here I had a very British stiff upper lip reaction to the Michigan school spirit and the concept of the Michigan Difference, but I can now say that I lived it for 3.5 years.  From my academic advising work with transfer students, to my program development work in pipeline development to co-teaching a class on Engineering Education in K-12 (Eng 599), I can honestly say that I have truly been given the gift of experiencing the Michigan Difference.

    That Michigan Difference is most clearly seen in each individual who is part of the wonderful College of Engineering Community.  To the students, staff and faculty who I have had the pleasure and honor of working I extend my greatest appreciation.  Thank you seems so small when I think of what I have gained from each of you.  I have been lucky enough to experience what it is to have colleagues become my mentors, inspirators, challengers and friends.

    So as I head out of the door, I look to the future.  Thanks to the brilliant CEDO Pipeline Development team I get to leave by announcing the launch of a new website for CEDO Pipeline Development that gives, students, parents and teachers, access to resources that we hope will help them develop engineering education in K-12.  Look for the link on the CEDO website next week!

Thanks again and I will be seeing you!