John's Great Grin

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John's Great Grin topic started 6/27/2005; 3:10:07 PM last post 6/27/2005; 3:10:07 PM

walkertisa@d... - John's Great Grin   6/27/2005; 2:10:07 PM (reads: 2440, responses: 0) I could go on at glorious length about how much I enjoyed serving with John on various committees, and sharing with him the experiences of being faculty in the Honors Program. But right now, I just want to recall the first time I meant John. I was newly hired as a full-timer, feeling very eager and a little overawed. John was in line ahead of me on opening day, looming in his space, so to speak. Feeling a bit nervous, I introduced myself and tried to engage him in light conversation. At first he was pleasant-but-reserved. (I had no idea how girlishly naive I must have sounded!) But as we talked and discovered shared interests, John began to twinkle at me over his glasses. And the twinkle was accompanied by his impish grin -- all coming from his commanding height. I was enthralled with what he was explaining to me about the campus community, and with his avuncular wit and wisdom as an old DeAnza hand. And so, for the many years since then, and the many conversations, he always twinkled at me over his glasses, gave me his impish grin, and regaled me with his special bon mots. We will all cherish the time we had with John. Discuss