Here we are—the end of Summer term 2008.

For me, and my amazing classmates in Campaigns 636, it’s the grand finale. Professor Myers let us off easy this week with a final post about our future plans, now that we have our diplomas almost in hand. (Almost!)

We’re all going to Disney World!

OK, not true.

But some of us are planning a vacation…some time at the beach or just to chill out close to home. Some of us have already found or plan to seek new jobs. Others are looking forward to new responsibilities in our current jobs and opportunities for promotions. Some members of the class now plan to move ahead with big life decisions like getting married, buying a house, or having a child.

We’re all excited to be earning an advanced degree at a time when IMC is gaining traction in business, industry, and the nonprofit sector.

Companies and organizations are looking for multi-skilled employees, and the IMC master’s speaks to our ability to wear different hats while overseeing the big picture.

But before all that—I’m taking a long-dreamed-about vacation to the San Juan Islands off the coast of Seattle. My husband and I are meeting up with friends we’ve known for 20-plus years. We’re going to eat pie for breakfast, watermelon for lunch, and ice cream for dinner. Whatever we feel like eating because we’re also going to do lots of biking and hiking around the islands.

And I can guarantee you that I’m not going near a computer all week!

Oh, but I know that I’m going to miss this virtual world come fall. It’s been a place where I could immerse myself in new ideas, stretch out of my comfort zone, and create IMC projects that I was not totally confident I could do before entering this program.

So, because this is my last blog entry, there’s just a ton of people I have to thank. You knew this was coming, right?

First, my husband, Tom, for being my rock and my sounding board for the 2.5 years it’s taken me to get this degree.

And my hat is off to the sharp professors I’ve had throughout this program. All have shaped the fabric of my experience, starting with Stacey Creely in 610. Her enthusiasm and encouragement made me believe I could succeed even when I was totally overwhelmed in this new virtual world, not to mention having to study again after 20 years. She also guided me through Creative Strategies. My interest in public relations really took off under Shelly Stump and by the time I was in Prof. Stump’s challenging Advanced PR class, I knew that public relations would have to be a part of my career going forward.

I also want to thank Dr. Grace Gao for her absolute dedication to monitoring the student discussion boards and adding her expertise on a regular basis. I loved her Marketing Research course, and I survived the infamous Measurement and Analysis class, thanks to Dr. Gao’s cogent instruction. Now, I can talk about the Mann-Whitney test at any gathering.

Dr. Sammy Lee, Dr. James Ramos, and professor Sheila Wexler sharpened my critical thinking and skills. Stephen Ward, Kyle Huckins, and Myron Gould made me dig deeper with my analysis and research. And Professor Gary Myers has been a great guide through Campaigns. “Press ahead,” he urges. I’m always like, “Yes, sir. I will, sir.”

Of course, there are many more professors whose expertise I did not get to tap—yet I know my classmates in Campaigns would sing their praises as well.

Certainly, we’re all very lucky to have our dedicated IMC director Chad Mezera, our curriculum specialist Dr. Kristen Wilkerson, our student advisor Shelly Stump, and our technology specialist Rick Rebout. Believe me, they are the problem solvers who make this program run so smoothly and consistently in an online environment.

So, it’s time for me to crank REO Speedwagon on Pandora and bid you adieu. I still have some work ahead to finish up my New Orleans campaign in this final weekend. My preemptive strike last weekend saved the day, and I wish I could say it was wrapped up early and ready to mail. But that wouldn’t be me. I tend to live by deadlines.

But I’ll make it. So will all of you!

Enjoy your summer break, and so long for now.

P.S. Let’s Stay Linked
As I make the transition to alumni status, let’s stay in touch through WVU’s IMC Program LinkedIn Group, and the alumni feature of our nifty new Web site.