The Way of Oz: A Guide to Wisdom, Heart, and Courage

Acknowledgments

Numerous people have influenced me in the development of The Way of Oz, including the authors of many books I have read on Oz and L. Frank Baum, along with the authors of many books on human development. But other people I’ve known through my teaching and administrative careers have enriched the Oz landscape and helped to shape my outlook and insight. To all who contributed to my effort with their goodwill and graciousness, I offer a metaphorical toast. A few friends and colleagues deserve specific mention: I have long admired John A. White, chancellor emeritus of the University of Arkansas, who uses references to Oz to inspire students and families about the power and value of education . James Harris, president of Widener University, may be the first to have proposed the concept of Dorothy as a leader (with the attendant notion of her focus on the future), which I’ve adopted for The Way of Oz. Several friends and colleagues at Texas Tech University and the Lubbock community read parts of this manuscript and were sources of encouragement: Randy Christian, Susan Hendrick, Grace Hernandez, Linda Hoover, Juan Muñoz, and Aliza Wong. Librarians and other friends or colleagues were helpful, including Sean Carroll (a member of the Club of Madrid), Richard Jackson (who was at the time living in Thessaloniki, Greece), George Matthews (from Peabody, Massachusetts), Trish Patrick (of Greensboro, North Carolina), and Kat Paulson (from Fayetteville, Arkansas), who offered encouragement and suggestions for specific portions of the text. In addition, I have greatly appreciated the assistance of Texas Tech reference librarians, especially Laura Heinz, Kimberly Vardeman, and Rob Weiner. During the journey toward publication, a number of education, economics, Acknowledgments Acknowledgment<.........................xiv and literary scholars, the TTU Press Advisory Board and the press’s director, Robert Mandel, reviewed the Way of Oz manuscript. The recommendations and suggestions of this group, especially those of director Mandel, enhanced measurably the quality of work. The keen and thoughtful editing by Kathryn Lang added further value to the final work. Arkansas cartoonist Dusty Higgins brilliantly conceived and crafted the illustrations for The Way of Oz, and I am most appreciative of his graciousness in accepting suggestions for changes and additions . Katherine Pickett (POP Editorial Services) did masterful work in copyediting , for which I am most appreciative. I am also grateful to Texas Tech colleagues Sally Post, Katie Allen, Scott Irlbeck, and Rachel Pierce for their extraordinary efforts in producing the videos linked to the work. Overall, I am truly grateful for the represented assistance and support. I leave for last the person who is first and foremost in my life—Marsha June Day Smith. She is my confidante, my muse, and my unstinting supporter—in all ways; she is a person who enriches my life. ...