Students, alumni and friends:

        As a journalist it's against my nature to sit on information. So,
the last two weeks has been difficult. I think it's time to get a story out
in the open before it breaks loose in the rumor mill.
         I want to let all of you know that this is my last semester of
teaching at Miami University.
        I was brought here as a visiting instructor in 1995 and have held
that position, as well as serving as acting director of the journalism
program that past two years. It's no secret that the English department is
conducting searches for permanent, tenure-track professors in the program.
I am not considered a long-term prospect, therefore I will be leaving in
May.
        It has been a wonderful five years at Miami, I can honestly say.
Teaching is not as easy as people make it out to be. I suspect that I've
graded over 4,000 papers in my time here, prepared a few hundred lesson
plans and taught about 700 separate students in that time. I tried to
remember each and every one of you. And I probably have a story or two to
tell about each one. I'm not an institution here, no 20-plus years under my
belt, but I have great, fond memories of many of you. It's been an eventful
and enjoyable five years.
        When I was a young journalist, pride would come from making the
front page. That faded, and satisfaction came from knowing that I wrote
something that made a difference in how something was done, or in someone's
life.
        When I started teaching I gave that up, and my pride as a professor
came from watching you succeed, knowing that you are doing well...watching
you grow as a writer in a class, watching you graduate, and then hearing of
your successes as professionals. That is my front page story these days.
        I want to thank all of you for being great students and it has
truely been MY pleasure to have been your teacher.
        And, keep you eyes open, you never know where I may turn up.


Kevin Smith