Dear Editor,
In the Daily News article last Thursday on the departure of telecommunications professor Bob Papper, a reference is made about the departure of two other TCOM faculty members that should not be misinterpreted.
In a sentence where Bob indicated his decision to leave involved "frustrations" with the department, it was also noted that two other "nationally recognized" TCOM professors also "resigned" this year. Although it is true that Jim Shasky and I are leaving, we want to make it clear that our decisions were not dictated by frustration.
After 50 years as a journalist and educator, I am retiring from full-time teaching, but continuing my relationship with Ball State in a variety of ways, including as an adjunct faculty member. Jim is retiring from full-time teaching for health reasons and so he and his wife can fulfill a life-long dream of building a home in the mountains out west.
Both Jim and I feel very blessed to have had such wonderful years at Ball State. We are proud of the university, and especially of our outstanding TCOM department, where the majority of our colleagues and friends remain on the job.
Steve Bell
Endowed Chair Emeritus in Telecommunications