Bon Voyage, Twila, and Thanks!

[Jon Olson <jeo3@psu.edu>]

It just occurred to me (while reading a message from Twila Yates Papay to
the board about planning the National Conference on Peer Tutoring in
Writing in November) that Twila's last year directing a writing center is
about to end.  Soon after the semester ends and the decision of Twila's
dean to dissolve the writing center at Rollins goes into effect, Twila will
head off to Africa on a well-deserved sabbatical.  When she returns to
Winter Park, FL, she won't be a writing center director any longer.

Twila, I feel deep gratitude to you for your example in writing center
work.  I especially admire the ways you've found to dignify and
professionalize the work of your peer tutors.  I know you've brought these
students to speak at numerous writing center conferences, including the
NCPTW and NWCA; as I remember it, you found a way to take tutors to eight
conferences one year. You embody what Betty Garrison Shiffman calls an
ethic of caring in writing center instruction (June '95 _WLN_).  Your ethic
of caring is rigorous and intelligent, evidenced by the quality of your
work.  I know your work has inspired other writing center directors as well
during the 15-or-so years you've been in the writing center biz since you
established the Rollins Writing Center.  

Bon voyage, Twila.  And thank you.  --Jon, Penn State, jeo3@psu.edu