Author’s Acknowledgments

Many individuals contributed to the production of this book. First and foremost, I would like to thank Bernard Seal, the series editor of Academic Encounters, whose vision and direction were constantly present. His sense of students’ needs as they enter the world of academic discourse is exceptional. The person who worked most closely with me during the development of the final manuscript was Kathleen O’Reilly, who also deserves inexpressible thanks. Her creativity, patience, and respect are beyond what any author could hope to find.

Furthermore, I would like to express my gratitude to Jane Mairs for her deft and experienced supervision of the project, to Louisa Hellegers for guidance, to Anne Garrett, the project editor, to Man Sandre for help with permissions, and to all the staff at Cambridge without u’hose “behind the scenes” efforts this book would never have come to fruition. Heartfelt thanks to Don Williams, the compositor, and Rich LePage, producer of the audio program, for their outstanding work.

Then, too, thanks to the people who form the centerpiece of the book: the interviewees and lecturers. You have been uniformly generous in providing me with hours of conversation and commentary, debating the various angles that might best capture students’ interests. Speaking with you, and now reading your ideas, I am struck bv what wonderful people I am privileged to know.

And to the students, faculty and administration at Eugenio Maria de Hostos Community College of the City University of New York, a special acknowledgement. No creative endeavor succeeds without a constant source of inspiration, and you have provided me with just such.

Carlos, Kelly, and Victor: what would I do without you?

Kim Sanabria