Mark, 

I was eager to poke around in your course work, I'll admit. I look forward each week to reading your discussion posts because I enjoy your style and the amount of thought and passion you put into each post.  I wasn't disappointed to find  the quality of your work matched your work in discussions.  We're very kindred spirits -- I saw you mention you feel your writing is your adaption for not talking much, and that's exactly what it is for me. I'm very shy and quiet, so I get out as much as I can through written word. 

All of the work was great, but I love the personal piece you wrote for Professor Poythress. I had that course too, and enjoyed her and that assignment. First of all, the title is one of my favorite songs! The flow of the whole thing is just really easy to follow, and your style is very interesting to read. On top of all of that, I'm someone who also find hijacking memorial services in the name of religion very "vulgar" as you put -- similar experience just this month at a childhood friend's service -- so you had the appropriate audience. Very honest and unashamed piece. Good work on it and all your writing. Thanks for sharing! 

Mary Ann Kiser-

Mark, all of your examples were incredibly written and I enjoyed reading them.  While your essays and papers were wonderfully composed, I really enjoyed reading your special project for BLS 323.  I remember that project, and I love the personal aspect of it since so much we have to write about is academic.  It's been a pleasure having you as a classmate in almost every class.  Wonderful portfolio!

Emily Meeks-

Mark, I love how genuine you are with your portfolio, and with your work throughout the semester. I like how you organized your portfolio and the introduction is great. Nice photo in the beginning, is that a photo of you or one that you took? The Reading the Human Experience paper, "Losing  My Religion," was quite compelling. It was real. And very well written. I felt the loneliest feeling sitting in the back of the church, thinking about a mother terminally ill, the feeling we get when we realized everything in life has changed, the people who leave us behind, and the self reflection inflicted upon us when people in our lives die. I felt like I was there with you during your uncle's funeral, great use of imagery. You did an amazing job. Loved your portfolio!

Leigh Phipps-

Mark: I have greatly enjoyed having classes with you and always knew your writing would be insightful and thought provoking. My favorite writing in your portfolio is the piece from BLS 323 Contemporary Short Story special project. I love how you write so fondly of your family and especially of your mother who has now passed. Your writing was so heartfelt and the way you related to the pictures which went with the writing really brought me back to the 1960's myself...my brothers had the same haircuts. Your portfolio was put together so well and I always wish I had read your work before posting my own. I often think I have learned more from the other students in the class than from anywhere else and your responses have always been enlightening to read. 

Professor McKinnon:

Excellent Portfolio Mark. You offer considerable evidence of your writing and analytical abilities and offer a good selection from a variety of courses. You are an excellent writer and a deep and sensitive thinker whose words hit their mark and linger. Simply great work here. Very moving. Do you know Emily Dickinson's poem "I heard a fly buzz when I died" (591)? Your last comment about your mother's funeral reminds me of it. Great job; I'll miss having you in my courses.