I’m writing to let you know that I will be leaving Stony Brook University because I am relocating. My last day in the Graduate School will be Friday, November 20. Working in the Graduate School/International Services office has been a great learning experience. I would like to thank the Dean, Dr. Lawrence Martin, Dr. Elizabeth Barnum, and Antoinette d’Assomption from International Services, for making my experience such a memorable one.
I would especially like to thank Drs. Steven Spector and Benedict Robinson from the English Department for their support during my undergraduate years. Also, Drs. Kenneth Feldman, Marci Lobel, Brenda Anderson, Linda Wicks, and Camille Wortman.
I would like to say special thanks to Dr. Jerrold Stein and his entire staff in the Office of the Dean of Students for opening doors of opportunity before me. A special thank you to Philip Baldwin, Catherine Rehman, and Norman Prusslin for helping me to go through those doors.
I would also like to thank the Police Department, especially Assistant Chief Douglas Little; the Division of Campus Residences, especially Alan deVries; the Student Media, especially Isobel Breheny-Schafer; John Stier, Mark Lang, and Treasa Mathias from DoIT; Arun Kumar from Jasmine; and Boon Teo from the University Bookstore.
How can I forget all the students with whom I’ve had the pleasure to work? A special “thank you” to every student and student leader in the clubs and organizations. Continue to work hard in your academic career, but don’t forget the importance of extracurricular activities.
And even though they are no longer here, they were very instrumental in my success at Stony Brook University, so I’d like to send special thanks to Drs. Shirley Strum Kenny, Frederick Preston, and Olufemi Vaughan. Your guidance and friendship was the glue that held me together when I thought I would fall apart.
It has been an exhilarating seven years at Stony Brook University, and I am going to miss you. I wish you all the best in your endeavors.
Sincerely,
Joan Gumbs, Staff Assistant/Former Orientation Leader for International Services at the Graduate School
In 2006 Gumbs earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Psychology, with a minor in Journalism. She acquired an MFA in Creative Writing from Spalding University in 2009. While at Stony Brook, Gumbs served as editor-in-chief/president of Blackworld newspaper, news editor at WUSB-FM, In-Focus co-host at SBU-TV, and resident assistant/marketing assistant for Campus Residences. She was a co-leader for Stony Brook Day in Albany, and founder/president of Alpha Nu Zeta Chapter/Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society. She is a member of Golden Key Honour Society, Phi Delta Kappa, The National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Society of Collegiate Journalists, and a recipient of the Frederick R. Preston Award.
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