January 29, 1999

Occasioned by the unfortunate suicide of a graduate student at Harvard, Ciccocioppo's article is understandably focused on the difficulties of student life. In consequence, however, it presents a bleak view: graduate students are portrayed as the potential victims of poverty, subordination and exploitation. They are troubled by isolation and, in some instances, the prospect of unemployment at the end of it all. It is not my intent to contradict what is the experience of many, but I do wish to draw attention to the other side of the coin: study at the graduate level can be a rewarding time of achievement and intellectual exploration during which one is privileged to work and to learn alongside distinguished scholars.

For my own part, I have been impressed by the intellectual and financial support I have received from the University of Alberta. Although I have at times experienced difficulty - as one does in the pursuit of anything worthwhile - I have also been blessed with excellent supervision at both the master's and the doctoral level, and with the unwavering support of the office staff, the administration and the faculty of both departments in which I have studied at this university. In particular, the academic excellence and the generosity of my past and present supervisors, James Forrest, professor emeritus of English, David Miall, professor of English and Max van Manen, professor of secondary education, has exceeded all expectation.

On behalf of the undergraduate and graduate students of the University of Alberta, my thanks go now to those very many people in this institution who treat their students with dignity and tact, and who, in doing so, make success possible even in the face of adversity.

Teresa Dobson
Doctoral Candidate (Interdisciplinary)
Departments of English and Secondary Education

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