Going AWOL

You guys should know by now, that I care for each and every one of you. You’re like my office children! I look after you; I give you advice (which sometimes falls on deaf ears). I push you, I encourage you, I celebrate your successes, and help you through the difficult times. I do all of this because I believe in your ability to succeed.

My children at home don’t think I really work – they think I just talk to people all day!

When you guys go away in the summer I spend my time thinking about ways I can help you even more. I try to find ways to reach all of you. Only half of you read the blog – so I spend my time thinking of ways to reach the other half. Additionally, I try to find ways to help everyone succeed academically. Again, I believe in your ability to succeed.

So it is going to be hard, but I am going to take a long overdue, well deserved break. When I leave the office on Thursday I am on vacation until Monday, November 28. When I leave the office I am taking work email off my phone. As much as I want to help you all succeed, I need to spend some time relaxing and enjoying the wonders of Disney World.  If you need anything from me – please get it taken care of by Thursday 5 pm.

Words to Live By 
Just because you took longer than others, doesn’t mean you failed. – anonymous

Senior News
Senior pictures are in. Tomorrow is the last day to pick your picture for the composite.

Important Dates
11/18 – Last day to reschedule final exam (look at your exam schedules now)
11/19-27 – Thanksgiving Break
11/26 – Spring Add/Drop Opens

Helpful Tools

Random 

Mel Blanc (the voice of Bugs Bunny) was allergic to carrots.

Sandbox

My Schedule

To schedule a meeting please use your Google calendar, on the left side of your calendar you will see a drop down option to view other people’s calendars. There you can search for mine.  Once you open my calendar you can select a meeting date & time.

It Ends Today

I know I should lead by example, but today is the one day I stop following my own advice. I am not going to get enough sleep. I am going to stay up late, way past my bed time. Pretty sure I’m probably not going to eat a proper diet tonight either.  For me, this only happens once every four years.   I’m not a political junky. But I love to watch the poll numbers come in. It’s like the news anchors are feeding me Reese Cups every 10 minutes!  Ridiculous, I know.

So forgive me tomorrow if I’m grumpy. I promise not to be grumpy about the outcome of the election. I can never be grumpy about democracy in action. But I can (& might) be grumpy because I didn’t get enough sleep.  I’ve already told my dogs I’m not taking them for their 2 mile walk at 5:30 tomorrow morning!

Hey, did you vote?

Ut Prosim  
The 2016 National Roll Call will be taking place on Veterans Day, Friday November 11th at the Pylons above War Memorial Chapel. We will participate in a nationwide simultaneous “minute of silence” alongside many other universities at 2:00 PM local time (11:00 AM Pacific) and then commence with the reading of the names of the fallen from Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, Inherent Resolve, and Freedom’s Sentinel. We anticipate completing the Roll Call around 8:30 PM, but of course, it will continue until all names are read. We encourage all  to spare a few moments of their time to honor our fallen brethren.

The linked Google Sheet is the sign-up for the Roll Call. Reading names is open to everybody in the Virginia Tech community, not just veterans.  There is no limit to the number of slots you can sign up for. If you have any special names you would prefer to read (buddies, family members, etc.), please fill them in the special names column so we can separate them for you to read at your time slot.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/12sPsnhh-WjPr0k_-POX-ULq96hPkBxii3_zXJbjxjEo/edit#gid=2042114392

Senior News
Senior pictures are in. Please stop by my office to pick up your proofs and select your picture for the group composite. A committee (4 randomly selected students) will pick your picture for the composite if you don’t select by Wednesday, November 16.

Important Dates
 11/18 – Last day to reschedule final exam (look at your exam schedules now)
11/19-27 – Thanksgiving Break
11/26 – Spring Add/Drop Opens

Helpful Tools
Tuesday Topic is a new feature in the MSE VT LinkedIn group. Please check it out.

Random 
North Korea holds elections every 5 years, in which the ballots list only one candidate.

Sandbox 

My Schedule
To schedule a meeting please use your Google calendar, on the left side of your calendar you will see a drop down option to view other people’s calendars. There you can search for mine.  Once you open my calendar you can select a meeting date & time.

Friends Come In All Sizes

I want to take a moment and give thanks to Mr. Erling Kindem and express my sadness in his passing. For those that don’t know, Mr. Kindem was a member of the Greatest Generation and a veteran of WWII. He passed away last Saturday at 91.  Mr. Kindem and his neighbor Emmett were a reminder to all that true friendship has no limits. 

MEPS News
Meeting, tonight @ 6:30 in 135 Goodwin.  

VT vs Duke viewing party this Saturday. Details to be announced soon. 

Senior News
Senior pictures are in. Please stop by my office to pick up your proofs and select your picture for the group composite. 

Important Dates
11/5 - Foundry Open House
11/18 – Last day to reschedule final exam (look at your exam schedules now)
11/19-27 – Thanksgiving Break
11/26 – Spring Add/Drop Opens

Helpful Tools
5 HABITS OF EXCEPTIONALLY LIKEABLE LEADERS  

1. Complaining breeds disgust in those below you.  
2. Speak to people how they need to hear it, not how you want to say it. 
3. Be selective in your battles. Sometimes peace is better than being right. 
4. People follow people, not ideas or businesses. 
5. In humility, value others above yourself. 

Random 
The word 'testify' derived from a time when men were required to swear on their testicles.

Sandbox

My Schedule
To schedule a meeting please use your Google calendar, on the left side of your calendar you will see a drop down option to view other people’s calendars. There you can search for mine.  Once you open my calendar you can select a meeting date & time.