To: All Faculty & All Academic Professionals & All Civil Service Staff &
           All Undergrad Students & All Grad Students <everybody@illinois.edu> 
    From: "Mrinalini Rao" <meenarao@uic.edu>

Reply-To: meenarao@uic.edu
 Subject: MASSMAIL - Thanks for a Memorable Experience

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students:

As I transition from being the vice president for academic affairs to a 
full-time faculty member, I cannot help but express my thanks to all 
those who made the last 51 months a very special experience. I thank the 
board of trustees, led by three chairmen, and three presidents of the 
University, for providing me the opportunity to view and serve the 
University from a different vantage point.  I have interacted with nine 
chancellors and seven provosts over this period of time and I appreciate 
what they have taught me about leadership.  Their dedication to the 
mission of the academy is inspiring.  Kudos also go to my many wonderful 
colleagues in university administration and the campuses, faculty, staff 
and students, ranging from vice presidents to student help, whose 
patience and help were invaluable in my foray into administration.  The 
raison d'etre for doing this job is the people who make this institution 
buzz: the bright students and accomplished alums, the faculty who exude 
excitement about their scholarship, and the eager staff ready to make the 
place better, be it in Champaign-Urbana, Chicago or Springfield.  Thank 
you.   

But it was not all peaches and cream: the weekly back and forth on I-57, 
exit 297 and the Clifton Huey stop notwithstanding, was wearing.  In 
Urbana, a special thanks to all those who made the Union a home away from 
home for me: "Meena at the Union" may not have the same ring as "Eloise 
at the Park Plaza Hotel," but sure had the same feel.  Be it the 
welcoming staff at the front desk and points beyond, or the students 
dashing out the door, backpack slung in an ergonomically incorrect 
fashion, iPod's securely plugged in their ears, clearly in their own 
world, suddenly doing a double take and returning to help this grey-
haired "bag-laden" lady manipulating those oh so handsome but oh so heavy 
doors.

In Chicago, a special thanks to my colleagues who were more than willing 
to take the time to help me get my eco-friendly wheels running, and to 
ensure that I was sufficiently caffeinated to hit the Dan Ryan at its 
best (yes, that does happen) and most challenging.  I would be remiss if 
I did not thank the patience of my lab group who kept the research 
simmering.  Now we can rev it up to full boil. 

Thanks to all my Springfield colleagues for the warm welcome, great 
conversations and the privilege of parking in the Tear Drop; who said 
parking was not coveted at UIS?

My gratitude and loads of good wishes to the individuals who make this 
University great.   

Meena Rao
Professor of Physiology and Biophysics
UIC


This mailing approved by:
The Office of the President

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