Patrick Earl Hammie is a professor of painting and sculpture at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. This is the text of a presentation he made to the University of Illinois Board of Trustees and guests on March 11, 2020.
I’m very humbled, honored, and inspired to have received the rank of Associate Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Thank you to my wife Jess, and friends and colleagues, near and far, for all your support. The biggest thanks to my mom and late dad, Carolyn and Ervin “Earl” Jr.; this achievement is dedicated to you. As we usher the class of 2015 toward their future, I’m also full of excitement for the many new personal and professional experiences ahead!