Messenger - Vol. 2, No. 2, Page 15 Winter 1993 Tribute to a teacher It takes two hours to read through the thick notebook of letters supporting James R. Soles' nomination as the University's first Alumni Distinguished Professor. They are emotional letters of love for a very special man. Here is just a sampling from letters written this fall: "When I began attending the University of Delaware as a freshman in the fall of 1984, I harbored a good deal of apprehension regarding my abilities and potential as a college student. I was the first person in my family to attend college; I had graduated from Wilmington High School, which at that time sent only a tiny fraction of its students on to four-year institutions; I had received a mediocre score on the Scholastic Aptitude Test. I felt, at that time, that simply graduating from college would be a challenging achievement and a sufficient goal. I could have never foreseen that, over the next eight years, I would receive the national Harry S. Truman Scholarship, the political science department's Paul Dolan and Barry Ulin awards and the University's Alexander J. Taylor Award (for outstanding senior man), or that I would go on to attend and graduate from Yale Law School. I share each of these accomplishments with James R. Soles and can trace them all to the commitment and inspiration he has shown me as an educator and as a friend." -Joseph C. Schoell, Delaware '88 "I began my first semester of college at the University in the fall of 1981.... I was both anxious and excited to begin my college education, but for all the wrong reasons.... I received a 1.8 cumulative average and dropped out of school. After a year or so... I returned to the University as a continuing education student to bring my cumulative average back up and gain admittance to full-time status. Due to my prior action, however, my parents and friends viewed my intentions as just another episode of indecision on my part and a waste of time. No one I knew had faith in me or trusted that I could accomplish my goal and I could not blame them.... It was during this confusing and depressing time that I met Dr. Soles...his concern and confidence in me changed my life.... I became organized in my studies, consistently improved my cumulative average and made dean's list for four semesters. Through Dr. Soles' guidance, I realized that no goal was unattainable..... I am a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania and Washington...and am now employed as a law clerk for the president judge of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania. When these milestones in my young career occurred, I called Dr. Soles first. When I got engaged, I called Dr. Soles first. It was for all these reasons and many more unmentioned that I asked Dr. Soles to be the best man in my wedding in August l991. And once again, he was beloved by everyone." -Albert A. Citro III, Delaware '88 "Dr. Soles took an interest in my life and taught me to take advantage of all that was offered at the University of Delaware. He made me realize I can achieve any goal.... Dr. Soles guided a freshman on academic probation to a seat on the Board of Trustees upon graduation."-David Bolen, Delaware '85