You won’t regret writing a thank-you note to your old lecturer

Hear hear! It’s always a pleasure to hear from former students and find out what they’re doing with their lives. I’ve had former lecturers turn up to public talks I’ve delivered - I’ll admit that it was slightly intimidating to spot them in the audience, but so enjoyable to chat with them afterwards and wonderful to be able to thank them personally for all they did for me.

I really don't understand. On one hand, I remained in regular contact with all my major professors until their deaths. One is now 95. I've also dedicated two books to a very special five: one in high school, one in college, three in graduate school. They showed me how to be friends and therefore better critics because of trust and mutual respect. They were my "models and examples," as I call them. On the other hand, I remain in regular contact with almost all my own former graduate students, going back to 1970s, as well as many undergraduates. I know their children and in some cases grandchildren. Two years ago, we had a reunion with about 40 former students from around the world. 2-3/year....