Dean Hazeltine,

You were instrumental in making the Voices of Inspiration Gospel Choir's first tour possible. The choir had a tour arranged to visit four cities. The tour was very important to the choir because it provided the only opportunity most of our families had to attend one of the choir's concerts.

Each church had agreed to provide housing for choir members overnight and to give the choir a donation to cover tour expenses at the conclusion of our performance. However, we desperately needed funds to pay for the bus and other expenses before we could hit the road. Without adequate funds in our treasury, we were at a loss for a means of financing our grand tour.

I remembered that you regularly attended the choir's concerts, so I recommended that the choir's directors ask you for help. No one thought my suggestion had any merit, but I insisted that you would be a good resource to help us. Although I was not an officer of the choir, I was invited to ask you on behalf of the choir.

Unlike the choir's officers and directors, I had taken classes with you and had been a TA for EN 9. I knew that you were not only a great resource, but also that your concern for students was genuine. You were not the perpetual favorite professor for nothing. You had earned the great affection that students had for you.

I figured you probably knew a generous alumnus who would help us or possibly of a university grant that we could use. And of course you did. As a dean, you had some discretionary funds for student support services. You felt our tour was an excellent outreach opportunity and that you could loan us the funds for the tour. Our conversation took all of 10 minutes. I was a little amazed that you came up with a solution so quickly and easily. The choir directors were also amazed by your willingness to help and gladly accepted the loan. We went on tour and made enough money to pay back the loan and fund our treasury. Thank you and Happy Birthday!

Iris M. Lee
Class of 1984
Springfield, VA