I am 70 years old and a retired elementary teacher who taught for 35 years. I have always been interested in the world with its great diversity of languages, people, food, culture, and geography. This is what led me to pursuing a degree in

geography in 1984. A couple of years later I earned a degree in elementary education. My wife Sally, also a retired teacher and I just celebrated our 45 anniversary since being married in 1980.

In 2014, I retired from regular full-time teaching before subbing for 9 years and was challenged to teach short-term at a university in Kazakhstan. Over the years, after serving at Kazakh-American Free University (KAFU) on six different occasions, I have become close friends with many of the staff and students.

While celebrating the 25th anniversary, the university presented six people with honorary doctorates for their commitment, investment, and contributions toward the university and staff. I was humbled and shocked at being one of the recipients! I was told that I could now refer to the university as "our university."