Died May 1, 1998. If crises could have obits, those would be the dates of ours. On May 1, the issue was laid to rest forever with a gracious and reassuring statement from President Pete Likins. We asked the president to speak at the department's 32nd annual Student Awards Banquet. Likins, who was not yet president when the effort to close the department touched off a two-year controversy, stood before us and did the right thing, and for that the department is grateful.
Wars breed excess.
Thank you, President Likins. We join you in vowing to focus exclusively on the future from now on. He all but winked and nudged me in the ribs in congratulations for having a cushy lifetime job. Fast forward to a month ago. A package arrives in the department.