Re: Letters of Reccomendation -Reply

[Barbara Biasiolli <barblac@stmarytx.edu>]

Thank you Dave Healy.  Can't remember when I have laughed so hard.  Now I
have a clear idea of what to do on my next group of letters.

Barbara Biasiolli

At 10:24 AM 2/5/97 -0600, you wrote:
>There seems to be considerable interest in the topic of recommendation
letters. 
>For those who are struggling with just what to say in such a document, I
thought
>it might be helpful to see an actual example.  Accordingly, I am attaching a 
>letter of recommendation that I wrote recently for Carl Glover.
Unfortunately, 
>Rev. Glover was not selected for the position, but I'm confident that the 
>decision had nothing at all to do with my letter.
>
>
>Dear search committee:
>
>Rev. Carl Glover has asked me to write a letter in support of his candidacy
for 
>the Assistant Vice Deputy Provost for Administration Proliferation at your 
>institution.  I have known Rev. Glover for some time now, and I am confident 
>that his application for this position will be one of many that you receive.
>
>Rev. Glover's administrative skills are well known by those who have worked
with
>and for him.  When he has something to say, he says it.  When the phone rings, 
>he answers it.  When he closes his office door, it says closed until he opens 
>it.  Rev. Glover puts his pants on one leg at a time.  He reports for work
fully
>clothed.  He renders to Caesar the things that are Caesar's.  
>
>Rev. Glover's scholarly efforts have been widely recognized in the academic 
>community.  His manuscripts have been received by a wide range of journals and 
>book publishers.  When he attends conferences, workshops, and seminars, he 
>always registers under his own name.
>
>Prospective employers are interested, not only in a candidate's professional 
>qualifications, but also about how s/he will "fit in."  In this regard, I can 
>report that Rev. Glover always parks in his own parking place.  He eats his
own 
>bag lunch in the staff lounge and takes the mail from his own box in the mail 
>room.
>
>If one works someplace long enough, stories will inevitably begin circulating, 
>and Rev. Glover is no exception.  When assessing those reports, I would simply 
>urge you to consider the source.
>
>I urge you to read Rev. Glover's application for this position and to include 
>his file with the others you receive.  If I can provide any additional 
>information, please do not hesitate to have your people get in touch with my 
>people.
>
>Sincerely,
>
>Dr. David J. Healy
>
>
>
>
Barbara Biasiolli (barblac@stmarytx.edu)
Learning Assistance Center
St. Mary's University
San Antonio, TX 78228-8554