I recently helped host an alumni event in Philadelphia. During the event I was approached by two alums who enthusiastically reported the news of their engagement. They both had worked on the Campus Times as students in the early 1990s and in the course of our conversation, they regaled me with their fondness for Ray MacConnell during their years here and told me that not only had they stayed in contact with him but that he was doing the flowers for their wedding. I was impressed by their enthusiasm for someone who had clearly made a lasting impact on them. This is not the first time I have encountered such enthusiasm for Ray. Over the years, other alums have mentioned him as a valuable part of their undergraduate experience. As I think about Ray?s 25 years of service at the University, I have no doubt that there are countless others who have benefited from his thoughtful guidance, his skilled and professional work as graphic artist, and his generous and sinfully good pastry creations to generations of weary and dedicated Wednesday night CT editors and writers. For these and many other contributions over the years, Ray, I extend my congratulations to you onthis landmark of service to the University and, especially, to our students.



Ray at UR, in CT–priceless

As Alice and Peter arrive in Hell, they chase after their advisor through a series of Hell’s courts, which test their magical knowledge — and their relationship. Read More

Ray at UR, in CT–priceless

The first realization of my own age hit me in the months before I started college. I was helping my dad clean the small office he’d occupied in Rush Rhees longer than I’d been alive. The walls of which boasted childhood drawings that my sister and I had crayoned. Even though I was looking at my distant past, I realized I would soon be starting a new page of my future. Read More

Ray at UR, in CT–priceless

So far, I’ve already tried a few alternative methods because, according to my doctor, my liver “can’t take much more of this,” and I think one has finally stuck. Read More