David D. Ramjohn
College of Charleston
Charleston, SC
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Bill and Jean Lane,
I have had some incredible experiences this summer through my participation in the Smithsonian Institution’s Summer Research Training Program. None of these experiences have given me as much pleasure as this task of writing to thank you for your generous support that made this possible, yet, none of them have proven to be as difficult. The difficulty lies in my inability to find words to express my gratitude to you for your support of a complete stranger in the pursuit of academic and professional excellence.
How do I thank you for your vision and faith in the future as expressed by your actions? How do I thank you for the worlds of opportunity that have been revealed to me through your generosity? Can I explain the mixed emotions of pride and humility – pride for the recognition of my ability and accomplishments, and humility amongst some of the great scientists that I have had the distinct pleasure to work with and learn from? Any words I choose to express what I feel will seem mere platitudes, incapable of conveying what this has meant to me.
I propose instead to dedicate my life’s work to justifying your faith in the future. My career and the accomplishments therein will bear testimony to the faith that you and others like you have shown in the untried abilities of an unknown aspiring ichthyologist. I bear the singular honor of being the first recipient of your endowment to the Research Training Program and hope to be the benchmark against which all other recipients are measured. Perhaps one day, I too will be able to facilitate the fulfillment of the dreams and aspirations of members of the future generations of young scientists, as you have done for me.
I thank you.
Sincerely,
David D. Ramjohn
Research Training Program, 2002