In addition to all of her academic and psychological support, I want to thank Purdom for always reminding me to keep humanity in the study and practice of the (digital) humanities. I remember a coffee a couple of years ago when we chatted about how our work and our lives could sustain one another and make a net positive contribution to the world we share. Since that day, I have striven to be more thoughtful about how I approach my subject and relate it to the society I see today and want to build for tomorrow. Not bad for a meandering afternoon chat over coffee!

Purdom, you taught me how to fail, how to play, and how to explore in a way that is so completely foreign from standard academic training. These new values have fundamentally shifted my worldview and my goals—professionally and personally. Where I once saw potential weakness and failure, I now see learning and teaching opportunities; rather than negative results being something to hide, they are valuable to share, to discuss, and learn from. People talk a lot about collaboration in this field, but the way you embody it has given me a model to strive for in my own career. You also smell amazing.

Thank you, Purdom, for always being excited about whatever direction my work takes and for your gentle guidance in my attempts to navigate the waters of digital scholarship. I greatly admire your enthusiasm and your generosity--you've always taken the time to share your knowledge, connect me with other people and resources, and encourage me to think more deeply about the work I'm doing. Although I will miss your sunny presence in the SLab, Maryland is so lucky to have you and I look forward to hearing about all the wonderful things you do there!

Purdom once made me a hat. She understood that my head was the most important part of me, so she made me a hat to keep it warm. I really like my hat, but when I consider the generosity and thoughtfulness of its creation, it becomes lost against the flood of kindnesses large and small that have flowed from Purdom to me since I met her. I don't think I'm special. Rather, what would be remarkable consideration and grace for the merely good-hearted is just how Purdom treats everyone all the time. I've never known her to be anything less than warm and welcoming, patient, compassionate, and charming to anyone. She is, to a pretty high degree of confidence, the best person I know.

Purdom has been so helpful to me during my time at the SLab. She has been endlessly supportive and enthusiastic, and overwhelmingly helpful as I transitioned towards my job at W&L. It was so helpful to know that the Scholars' Lab approached the administrative headaches I was causing them with such kindness and care. Purdom was a big part of that. I also cherish our back channel conversations during talks and events. I got as much from those side conversations with her as I ever did from the presentations themselves, which is a testament to her character and influence. I am sad that she's leaving, but happy to know that I'll always have friends at Maryland.

Purdom! Thanks so much for all of the great conversations and support that you've provided to me and other grad students over the past few years. You always reminded me that I could count on the encouragement, resources, and great colleagues of the SLab community, even after my official fellowship there ended. You will be missed! But I wish you the absolute best in your new position.

Congratulations, Purdom, on the new job! I'm so happy for you. Your support, warmth, sense of humor, and friendship made my time in the Praxis program even more special and meaningful. Thank you.

Thank you Purdom for always making me feel like I was there at the Scholars' Lab with you guys, and for all the inspiring projects that came out of your tenure. I look forward to many more years of collaboration and joyful plotting wherever you may be!

One of the reasons I will miss Purdom most is her warmth and enthusiasm. She always shows such interest in my research and whenever I see her at SLab my day is just a bit brighter. She might not realize it, but our conversations have frequently provided me the push that I needed to get writing again (on days when I think I just can't finish - she reminds me that what I'm doing is important). I will miss having her around but am happy knowing she's staying in a field where she can continue to inspire.

Purdom has been unfailingly kind and generous to me since the first day we met. Not only did she work tirelessly to provide me and so many of my colleagues with opportunities for scholarly and professional development, but she has always made it clear that she cared deeply about my emotional and personal well-being. Ever conversation I had with her left me feeling uplifted. Thank you, Purdom, for being so wonderful: you will be dearly missed.

Thanks to Purdom for her immense graciousness and patience in working with me and the Lab generally. I'm still figuring out a lot of things as a teacher, but I know wherever and whatever I end up, if I can even just echo what she modelled, I'll be doing all right.