Final Word from this Fieldwork Coordinator…

(Reprinted from BUnOTes - Spring 2008)

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

As many of you already know I am retiring from Boston University.  I will be here full-time through May and then part-time until the end of August.  At that time a new Fieldwork Coordinator (Mary Evenson mevenson@bu.edu) will take my place.

This is a major transition for me.  I have been in academia for 36 years, 34 of them at Boston University.  I have been Academic Fieldwork Coordinator since January 1991, as well as for two years in the 80’s when Irene Allard was acting chair of our department.  I have loved my job and the people I work with.  In fact, I never complained about work at home – EVER – until I was asked to be responsible for an accreditation visit in the early 80’s.  When I had a few minor complaints about the administrative aspects of that task, my husband said, “Linda, that’s why they call it work.  All these years, you thought it was supposed to be fun.” 

I have counted as one of my major life’s blessings that, at the age of 15, I knew I wanted to be an occupational therapist.  I had weekend courses for girl scouts in Philadelphia with Profs Willard and Spackman (yes, THE Willard and Spackman), and I spent my summer volunteering with an occupational therapist at a local hospital.  I have never regretted my choice of occupation.  But I did frequently put my family and my profession (and my students) before taking care of me.  As many of us do, I have “saved” my leisure interests for “later”.

Now, however, it is time for me to put ME on the top of my list.  I need to work on being healthy so that I can enjoy the time my husband and I will have together when he retires.  Although I have loved my job, my colleagues (including you), and my students, there are other things I love to do.  I plan on playing the piano and violin, singing, reading, gardening, needlework, organizing family photos, cleaning out my house and more.  My 95 year old mother hopes I will spend more time with her in Florida, and I have friends all over the country with whom I can’t wait to spend time. 

As I have gotten closer to retirement, I have thought that it would be hard to go cold turkey from OT, so I have lined up some per diem work in mental health, I have offered to consult to schools on fieldwork, and I would entertain teaching a course at BU if there was a need for an adjunct faculty member.  So, you may see me around and I hope that happens.  I have loved catching up with you at conferences.  If you see me, stop me to say Hi.

I expect a seamless transition from me to our new fieldwork coordinator especially with Joan Gentile (gentilej@bu.edu or 617-353-7526) in place.  She and I have worked together for 17 years, and there is a column in this edition of BUnOTes about two awards that she is receiving this month.  Joan has been a constant in our fieldwork program, and I know that she will be there for you if you have any questions or concerns.  She is excellent at handling the day to day management of fieldwork as well as at “triage”, ie, she knows when something is a crisis and not just a casual question. 

I have given quite a bit of thought to how to end this “final” From the Fieldwork Coordinator Column.  I liked “Happy Trails”, but it shows my age.  I decided on …

Farewell – This is my hope for all of you that you will fare well and be happy and healthy.  And remember to make time for you!

Linda Duncombe

duncombe@bu.edu

Spring 2008

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