University of Nebraska at Kearney
Department of History


  
To Whom It May Concern: 

It is with great pleasure that I recommend Ms. Sarah Graves to your consideration.  I have known Sarah for several years now as a student and advisee and I regard her as an excellent candidate for a professional position.  She is an extremely well-qualified individual with excellent skills and the motivation to succeed in whatever endeavor she seeks to fulfill.  I strongly recommend her without hesitation or reservation.

Ms. Graves first came to UNK as an exchange student from Louisiana State University.  At first I took note of her work because of my own family connection to Louisiana, and then I came to acknowledge the level of her academic work, first as an undergraduate student and then as a superb graduate student in our History master’s program.  In addition to serving as her thesis advisor, I also had the good fortune to have Sarah assist me in one of my large lecture sections.  There I learned of her excellent organizational skills and her reliable and professional attitude.  In grading exams and otherwise assisting my teaching, she performed to the highest expectations.  I would rank her as one of the very best graduate assistants I have had in twenty years of experience.

Sarah then completed her thesis under my direction.  In this respect she went beyond the normal call of duty by traveling to Mississippi to conduct archival research.  (This is usually not expected for a master’s student, certainly not one in central Nebraska.)  This original research then became the basis for an excellent thesis on the early governors of territorial Mississippi.  In seeking to complete this task well before the due date, Sarah once again demonstrated her organizational skills and her dedication.  Her thesis proved to be well-argued and quite well-written, winning the unanimous endorsement (without reservation) of her graduate committee.  I am proud to have been her advisor.


In summary I would stress that Sarah will succeed in whatever task or career she chooses.  I know that she has particular skills and experience in career counseling, and I think that she would make a fine candidate for a position in counseling, advising or any other university student service.  In the end, her academic abilities and training will also serve her well in her desire for a student-oriented career.  I believe that any college or university will be well-served by adding Sarah Graves to their staff.  I would be glad to provide further information and support either by e-mail or phone conversation.


Sincerely,
Vernon L. Volpe, Professor and Chair
University of Nebraska at Kearney