Quotes from emails received in the week after Todd Ellison announced his early retirement from Fort Lewis College:
FLC is losing one of its strongest and most intelligent men.
Judith Reynolds [cultural arts news reporter and editorial cartoonist for the Durango region]
Dear Todd; I cannot imagine the place without your skill, dedication, professionalism and unbeatable cheeriness, often in the face of almost insurmountable problems. Certainly you helped make my tenure at the center an enjoyable and productive five years.
Phil [Duke, former director of the Center of Southwest Studies]
Well Todd, I don't know whether to congratulate you on making more time to go skiing, or express condolences to the Center on its pending demise! Surely the place will fall apart, stone by stone, without you there to hold it all together. You have done so much for the place over the years, almost like building up, stone by stone. I could never do your job.
Michael S. Hamilton, Professor, Political Science Department, Maine
Congratulations, Todd, on a job very well done!
Nancy Freeman, Records Manager/Archivist, National Wildlife Research Center
I’m very sorry to hear that you’re leaving. Frankly, I’m not sure what I’m going to do without you.
Mitch Davis, Public Affairs Officer, Fort Lewis College
I hope that your future will be as rewarding as your past contributions have proven to be for all your colleagues, including me.
Larry Nordby [member of the Center of Southwest Studies Board of Advisors]
Todd: I am genuinely heartsick. Bud and I were talking only last week, and Paula joined in later, that you are what has made volunteering such a joy. Now what do we do? You are a jewel and I'm not sure I want to come back to "work" (which you have made into a deep pleasure) if you're not there. Be assured you have our prayers and fondest good wishes. Thank you for all you've done to make your department such fun.
Beverly Darmour [archival volunteer]
You really have been Archives for the college from its nurturing. End of an era.
Minna [Sellers], [Interim Director of Reed Library, Fort Lewis College]
It has been a joy to know you and feel the excitement you have generated among students and others – certainly including us! Please know you have our great gratitude for your patience with us and your interest in father/ grandfather/ great grandfather.
Sue F. Ward [she and her siblings donated a large collection to the Center]
Thank you for the great work you have done. I know nothing about your field, but I do know you are one of the best.
Rena L. Cole, Purchasing, Fort Lewis College
It has been a pleasure working with you off and on over your 17 year tenure.
Kathlene [Ferris; senior archivist at the University of New Mexico]
It has been a pleasure working with you.
Karen Paul [Archivist for the United States Senate]
You've done lots of great things for the archival program.
Lynn Smith, CA, Audio-Visual Archivist, Hoover Presidential Library
Todd, what an incredible job you've done in your time at Ft. Lewis. I'm sure the folks there, and indeed throughout the area, are very grateful for your leadership and hard work. I know we fellow archivists certainly are.
Jody Georgeson, Executive Director, The Telecommunications History Group
It has been a pleasure working with you.
James Bodine, Manager, Web Services & Middleware, Fort Lewis College
Thank you for the support and advice that you have given me in the past.
Steve Granger, Archivist, Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis
Congratulations on a remarkable career, Todd. You have helped to hold back the forces of darkness for 17 years at FLC, and I know you will continue to do so in private practice.
Ron Houston [archivist in Austin, Texas]
Thank you for giving 17 years to the college. Your expertise and abilities were some of the things I admired most about you. Thank you for helping me collect my personnel file from the archives. God bless you and your family.
Cathy Williams [former administrative assistant at Fort Lewis College]
It has been a pleasure for me to be taught and helped by you and your vast kindness and knowledge.
Christina Knickerbocker (former college student)
Thank you again for allowing me to experience the fun of working with the archives! I really learned a lot.
Jan Lips [archives volunteer]
Thank you for your actions on behalf of myself and the other citizens of the region.
Tim Pierce [researcher]
You will not be easily replaced. Your dedication is evident everywhere in the archive. Thank you for your gracious help with archiving my grandfather’s papers. It was such a relief to finally find a home for them!
Carol [Shepard] [Center of Southwest Studies part-time outreach staff and donor]
Thank you for your assistance whenever I’ve had questions and needed advice. I’m thinking that we could benefit from a consultant! I will mention you to my vice-president and the disaster response team.
Nancy Gauss, Interim Director of Library Services, Leslie J. Savage Library, Western State Colorado University
It has been a pleasure to have worked with you.
Mike Tedesco [microfilm services vendor in Albuquerque, N.M.]
I have enjoyed your E-News and presentations, seeing you around campus, and join the campus community in expressing our appreciation for your establishment of the archival/special collections program.
Tom Harrington, Dean, School of Business Administration, Fort Lewis College
I can’t imagine anyone else doing that job as you have just been remarkable.
Maurine Liddiard, Interim Asst. Controller, Fort Lewis College
Oh, Todd! I am devastated. I like you being there in your office when I volunteer and will miss you.
Esther [Greenfield], archival volunteer
We appreciate all of your hard work for these past 17 years. The Center would not be the organization it is today without your initial efforts. You have brought professionalism, excellence, and vision to the Center’s archives. We will miss you!
Jeanne Brako, Interim Director/Curator, Center of Southwest Studies, Fort Lewis College
You have done a tremendous job for us and will be missed.
Karen Aldrich, Director of Human Resources, Fort Lewis College