We have heard from Bill on his magnum opus, or at least parting shot at getting those doing education research to do it his way, but now let’s turn to recognizing Bill as he gets ever closer to retirement.�
First, consider Becker by the Numbers:
82 articles in professional journals
12 books
19 chapters in books edited by others
AN INFINITE NUMBER OF SELF CITATIONS.� �AN INFINITE NUMBER OF TIMES CALLED A BASTARD BY DEPARTMENT COLLEAGUES, COAUTHORS, AND A FEW STUDENTS -- MORE EXPLANATION ON THIS IN THE OZ VIDEO TO COME.� �
41 coauthors, including such notables as Will Baumol, Sherwin Rosen, Bill Greene, and Peter Kennedy. But 28 of 41 coauthors wrote with Bill only once. Only four coauthored 5 or more times. Only two, 10 or more times, and they are stooped and maimed from the experience.
20 years as JEE Editor and AEA CEE ex officio member. Another 10 years as JEE Associate Editor, and another 3 years on a regular term on AEA CEE.
IS THIS A CHILD THAT ONLY A MOTHER COULD LOVE? �
Second, consider him from the warm, human and personal side.
Bill – 1950s
Who grew into a fashion plate in his own mind? �� �Note that this is a suit, not just a sport jacket. Sue denies that he ever owned this suit – but that just explains how she managed to survive being married to Bill – for which denial was clearly a necessary skill.� �
Bill - 1970s
My favorite picture of Bill, with a nice grandpa smile. However, looking at the body language, neither he nor the grandchild seem very comfortable, and the caption for the picture should probably be “Which one has just pooped his pants?”�
Bill - Now
Third, consider the tribute he has received from others, starting with Betty Blecha� �
As a young person in the profession committed to undergraduate �education, Bill really stood out as someone committed to making research �in economics education one of the fields in the discipline. I have a �high regard for Bill and wish him a long and happy retirement.��Betty Blecha�San Francisco State�
Note that Betty liked him when he was young, and now that he is retiring, but pointedly does not talk about all the years in between.�� �
Next, consider what his secretary Christie Campoll has to say. �
I can't think of any stories... although I feel like once a week I tell my fiancée something funny that Bill said. I always appreciate Bill's use of bad words and toilet humor at work. Honestly I hadn't heard such coarse language on the job since I worked with juvenile offenders in the justice system. He has been lucky that I have the sense of humor of a 13 year old boy. One time my position was held by a preacher's wife. I think she lasted a few weeks (then somehow, bizarrely, ended up working at the Kinsey Institute). � �Christy Campoll, Bill's last assistant at IU and JEE.�
And finally, consider the video tape from his colleagues at the University of South Australia.�