Very Important Part of My Life: The Tag

I received this engraved tag yesterday from a former student of mine at the Shenango Valley Campus of Penn State where I began teaching a half century ago.

In a letter that accompanied the tag, which I attached to the rolling backpack — still in steady use, he thanked me for being a “very important part” in his life and another student’s he mentioned by name.

I was extremely touched by that comment since I know he and many of the other students I taught at that campus in Western Pennsylvania did not pursue careers in journalism.

All of them were very important people in my life.

With the tag, I remember why. He runs the engraving business that made it and one for Lillian.