Ah, the sun is out and I have hope that the mercury will inch above 20 sometime today. Maybe even above 30. I am not built for negative temperatures. Panda is not built for it either. She walked out of the house yesterday morning eager for her walk, took a breath, sneezed, and looked up at me wonderingly. We walked anyway. Blurgh!
Hey, not lots and lots to report today.
How many of you have seen the top 10 majors list from Princeton Review floating around Facebook? We see these kinds of things all of the time and I know that the top 10 list and the criteria used are all part of neo-liberal hocus pocus. And yet . . . . Communication studies (ok, they called it communications but the description about speech writing and making, studying and practicing interpersonal communication indicates that the author meant communication or communication studies) was # 2, just after computer science and ahead of perineal favorites like business, psychology, and biology. The review writes:

You’ll spend a significant amount of time scrutinizing different kinds of presentations—such as speeches and scripts—and the strategies behind the messages that speakers and writers use to make their points. You’ll learn about verbal and nonverbal messages, audience reaction, and the varied effects of different communication environments. It will prepare you for a wealth of career options in business, advertising, human resources, public relations, government, education, media, and social services.

That actually seems about right to me. Missing of course is the role we play in making citizens but what the heck!
Today is, of course, the last day of class. Many of you know I have had tons of fun with my capstone students. Wednesday and today they presented their research on Fuzzy’s Tacos, Mile High Stadium, the oval, Hughes Stadium, and Bindle Coffee. Were the presentations great? Well, no. Were they engaged and thoughtful? Well yes. Did the presenters dress up? Yes! You can see pictures at the departmental Facebook page of folks presenting and students asking questions. I do so love our students. And I know I am so deeply privileged to do this work.
You can tell, can’t you, that I have come to the end of what I have to report.
I do hope all of you have great weekends. Blend, will you, the hard work of wrapping up the semester with the joy of people and relaxation. For me that will include hanging with friends and colleagues tonight over bowls of minestrone and plates of bread and cheese. And over the next couple of days I will begin my annual chocolate truffle making. Perhaps some will show up in the kitchen over the holidays.
Be well!
Yours,
Greg