Someone asked the other day, “As you retire, what are your fondest memories of the last 24 years?”

There are so many, and some not always with fondness:

Getting off a plane in St. Louis enroute to my interview in Fayetteville and being met, unexpectedly, by Chancellor Dan Ferritor, realizing he was serious about getting me here (he is an important reason why I came.)

During that same process, meeting with Frank Broyles who confided the Hogs would be in the SEC within 3 years (this was 1987.); I had to be one of the first to know.

Seeing Kris tear up with the realization that Arkansas was a great place and we would be leaving family and friends to move here.

Convincing my son, Mark, that because hockey wasn’t played in Arkansas was not a valid reason for him to not move (they do now and his name is on Senior Walk!)

Listening to alumni president Bob Dawson tell me I had to change my name to be successful in Arkansas (his suggestion: Bubba Macechko)

Being grilled by 120 African-American alumni who wanted change and to be involved; later the Black Alumni Society set records with the number of reunion attendees.

Affixing a Hog License plate to the van knowing it was the state’s first affinity plate; later seeing those plates fund “Roads” Scholarships, the backbone of an alumni scholarship program that next year will award $800,000.

Calling the Hogs in Budapest, London, South Africa, China and many other places while hosting an alumni tour; becoming friends with wonderful alumni as a result of the trips.

Sitting in the Coliseum in Charlotte watching Scotty Thurman sink that miracle three-pointer and seeing Kris with her head down between her knees (she never saw the shot!)  And the feeling that night/morning that as a native of Cleveland, I had finally rooted for a champion.

Marveling at the ability of Lance Burchett as he doubled association memberships making us a leading association in membership percentage, ranking in the Top 10 nationally.

Receiving a hand written note from some guy named Gearhart in State College, PA praising us for improving the alumni program; later he would be my boss as vice chancellor and everybody’s boss as chancellor.

Celebrating the 125th Anniversary of the Alumni Association.

Completing a $3.4 million campaign to renovate and expand the alumni house and making wonderful friends of the Hembree’s in the process.

Hearing the Toller Celebration Bell at the Hembree Alumni House peal for victories, academic as well as athletic, and important milestones of campus life and, eventually, in honor of his life.

Being a part of the “Arkansas Miracle” which raised more than $1 billion that transformed this university.

Experiencing the lows and highs during the recent Bobby Petrino mess, ultimately buoyed with pride at how Jeff Long helped to raise the reputation of the university in one night.

Remembering 72 creative, dedicated, enthusiastic, energized alumni staff members who really made things go over 24 years.

Driving to work every day with my wife and advancement colleague; we never really left work at the office; remembering how she was the organizer of the rededication of Old Main and was now a top advancement professional in her own right.

It has been a wonderful ride with great memories!  GO HOGS!