This was the view from the University Club at the top of Cal-Berkeley's stadium, as the sun sets. It was the site of the kick-off event for a weekend of celebrating my graduate school mentor's retirement. He has been one of the most significant contributors to the field of literacy education -- instruction, assessment, policy -- and is much beloved by his former students, colleagues, friends, and family. It was a unique weekend of celebration where over 200 of us gathered to honor him and celebrate all he has done. A truly joyful experience and fun from the perspective of my having been his last student to start working with him (in 1977) before he became famous. We've collaborated for over 40 years, starting by my photocopying his class materials and working as his research assistant.
If curious, google P. David Pearson or for twitter users #pdpfest
I'm woefully behind on 365 obviously, but will catch up over the coming week. Thanks for putting my frog on TT -- and to those of you who let me know while I was away!
It must have been a great occasion Taffy. He sounds a wonderful man who leaves a worthwhile legacy. Beautiful scene, great colours and lights on the stadium. Fav
What a beautiful image Taffy to record your wonderful weekend celebrating with your mentor. I Googled him and what an interesting man who has done so many things towards education and obviously made a great impact in many lives. It sounds like many people wanted to wish him well as he is much loved. Fav for this gorgeous view!!
You were so honoured to have been taught & inspired by this unique man, I expect he was rather overwhelmed, he is no doubt a humble & gracious man as so many of our peers tend to be. Lovely night view & a memory made last night.
Wow what a great view and congratulations on the TT. Here is another one for the TT I am sure.
Thanks for the link, so interesting. Must have been an emotional weekend for all.
Stunning view of the approaching night across the city. The retirement celebrations sound like a fitting tribute to a notable scholar. Do you do a Festschrift in the US for a scholar of that calibre?
@golftragic Both the occurrence and the nature of Festschrifts vary considerably. Not every scholar has one, and I've never known of one this elaborate. But this really fit David so well. He is unique in the field. While I know I'm biased, I think there would be substantial agreement that he was one of the most significant figures in our field. He's been dean at two major institutions, an endowed chair at a third, and while doing all that, never let up on his scholarship. He's very inclusive -- has had over 200 coauthors (or maybe that's half the amount -- I remember being pretty amazed). Other ones I've attended have been much smaller (for example, one with 14 colleagues who flew in, organized by his graduate students, and a surprise to him). I don't think there is a particular pattern here, other than the person honored has been a significant person in the field and also, realistically, that they are open to having the event.
@taffy Crikey Taffy, what did he do in his spare time. Sounds like a truly great man who made full use of a fine mind. What a treasure, and to have studied/worked with him. Wow.
@golftragic Yep, I was quite fortunate...and you'll like this -- he helped mentor me in golf as well when I finally took it up about 20 years ago! He shot in the 70s, but was very patient and really enthused about bringing a new golfer on board.
@taffy I've just watched the first part of a lecture Pearson gave in 2014, and it's not hard to see exactly what you mean about the man and his professional skills. Very impressive. Not my field so not much point in watching the whole thing but his ease of communicating well with his audience tells it all.
@golftragic So nice of you to do that! If you're interested, I can send you the link to the Festschrift and the 10 minute talk I gave in his honor. It was fun to do, but nerve-wracking getting it together! Anyway, email me if interested. Heading to sleep so no rush either way.
What a very beautiful skyline and light colours. I just googled him - what an amazing privilege to have had such a man as your mentor and to collaborate with him for so long. I am sure the celebrations will raise a smile at the memory for some time to come.
An amazing picture, as always, and what for an happening. If the greatness of a person is measured by the greatness of the persons surrounding her/him... oh well, are we privileged to have you on board in 365!
Really beautiful image. I enjoyed reading about your mentor. Some people have such an impact on those around them. Your were fortunate to have worked with him (and he with you, I imagine:)
Wow! Such beautiful image - cityscape against a mountain backdrop with the stunning light quality at the horizon as night draws in.
And once again for luck - Wow!
Beautiful dusk shot. It sounds like a fitting tribute and celebration for the work he has done. But I imagine his greatest achievement is students like you who have gone on to make their own impact as well.
What a beautiful shot... gorgeous layers and colors, glowing against the skyline. Your mentor sounds like an amazing, accomplished and generous person, I'll try to google him. Good for you, to get through an important talk in honor of a person whom you value - those are the most difficult! Fav for your lovely image.
What an exquisite view! That's surely an image the school would love to put in their alum magazine, I would think! Clearly you had exceptional mentoring, but you seized the opportunity and made your circle proud as well!
@gardenfolk@pamknowler@fbailey Wow!! Thanks for alerting me! On Beaver Island, I lose track of what day it is! Pretty amazing to me to end up there again but so exciting!
retirement celebration with your former mentor.
Thanks for the link, so interesting. Must have been an emotional weekend for all.
And once again for luck - Wow!
@joemuli LOL!