Dear Arnie,
I write on the occasion of your 97th birthday to tell you how much I value our relationship.
I write to salute you for your fabulous contributions to science education while at NSF.
I write to thank you for your outstanding work as Division Director during my time as NSF Assistant Director for Science and Engineering (1984-1990.)
I knew about you from so many sources, and I was pleased that you accepted my offer to join NSF.
You served outstandingly as a leader and manager of important science education programs that we developed to serve the youth of the Nation, and their teachers.
You served outstandingly as my special ambassador to Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton when we were working with the National Governors Association of which he was chair. He was also an appointed member of my blue-ribbon advisory committee.
You helped guide the development of the Statewide Systemic Initiative. You worked diligently with your program officers and staff in support of launching this effort whose aim was to engage states as political entities in science education reform and advancement.
You worked methodically in reviewing grant proposals and in making excellent awards. You were keenly protective to assure stewardship of the taxpayers’ money in the work we did. Your standard of excellence was always high.
You always worked with integrity no matter how severe the challenges we faced. Integrity, Arnie—you well know what I am talking about.
Your diligence was an inspiration to your fellow division directors, our senior staff, program officers, and all staff.
You were one of my highly trusted confidants as we navigated very treacherous waters, successfully, within NSF. I always valued your judgment and relied on your counsel in personnel and all matters.
Your interactions across the country with constituents on all matters related to science education at all levels and in informal settings was exemplary.
You worked dutifully and happily with chemists, mathematicians, physicists, biologists, other scientists, teachers, school boards, college and university faculty, private sector partners, high school and elementary school teacher selected as presidential awardees, and others, always, in exemplary ways.
Your unwavering support and loyalty contributed greatly to our relationship—all in serving the National interest. Thank you, Arnie.
There is much more to say about your scholarly and professional contributions which are well recognized and appreciated. But I shall defer that to another occasion.
I express gratitude for the personal relationship we have since you moved to Madison. Conversations were meaningful. Lunches and dinners were enjoyable. As were musical concerts. And boat rides.
I look forward to saying more at your next birthday.
With respect, admiration, and joyfulness I wish you Happy Birthday.
Bassam |
