This award belongs to all of the people who received nominations.  When I saw the list of nominations my first reaction was to wonder how I could choose from such a talented, committed group of people. Each and every one of these friends is deserving of this award.  Whether it was a commitment to making the MLIS experience a positive and rewarding one through active involvement in student government, or commitment to spreading and enhancing the ideals of librarianship, or their infectious good nature, or their willingness to lend a hand or sympathetic ear, each one deserves to be recognized. So, Catherine, Gabe, Linda, Quinn, Becky, Daniella, Jay, Tracy, Mark and Michael, thank you for making the MLIS program a stimulating, fun, inspiring and all-round rewarding experience.

The award also belongs to all of my other classmates and to MLIS faculty and staff who have worked so hard to create a wonderful collegial atmosphere.  The various performers, storytellers, educators, debaters, organizers, and the facilitators have each contributed to building this community and must be acknowledged.  These fine people, by the force of your personalities, your intelligence and your commitment, have shown us the value of library as community, as access to information, and as a place that strives to educate all.

And finally, to all of those who have, by your nature and the force of your personalities, made the MLIS experience fun – despite the grueling pace and spirit-crushing workload - thank you.  Perhaps more than any, you represent the spirit of librarianship.  And, it is fitting, I think, to end with a quotation from Monty Python:  "You see, I don't believe that libraries should be drab places where people sit in silence, and that's been the main reason for our policy of employing wild animals as librarians."

Thank you to all.  Congratulations to all who have completed your studies and good luck in the job hunt. And to those continuing in courses or co-op, best wishes.

Yours sincerely,

Bruce Fyfe

This day is called the feast of Crispian:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when this day is named
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall see this day, and live old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours
And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian's
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars.
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispin's day.'
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day: then shall our names,
Familiar in his mouth as household words
Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester,
Be in their flowing cups freshly remember'd.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd.

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother. Be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.