In August 2023, I decided to leave my fulltime teaching position at Goucher College, a job I had loved for the last 16 years. While it wasn't an easy decision, it was the right one. As Cynthia Terry, Goucher's former chaplain, noted, "Phaye reclaimed the word resign."
I am incredibly grateful to Cynthia Terry and Hannah Fenster '15, for throwing me the best Resignation Party I could imagine! I'm still overwhelmed by the turnout of students, colleagues, and friends from across years and across the country. And, The Resignation Band* outdid themselves! Six students - from various parts of the US and various years at Goucher - plus professor and concert pianist Lisa Weiss - performed! I now embody the very definition of gratitude - which I will attempt to explore on this page in the coming weeks, along with the meaning of resignation & aging, as they are all intertwined. In the meantime, please enjoy these videos by Sarah Berns-Zieve and these photos by Jessye Grieve-Carlson.
As the song says, I'm much obliged. I'm much obliged.
❤️ Phaye
Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word. The Resignation Band. Phil Rogers lead vocals, Phaye on drums, and Lisa Weiss on keyboards.
Phil Rogers
The Resignation Band
Rory Strong, Mr. Kirby
The Resignation Band
All Night Loud + Mr Amsterdam
Rory Strong, Shelly Duvall
The Resignation Band
*The Resignation Band
Phil Rogers '15 Austin, TX lead vocals & guitar
Rory Strong, '18 Los Angeles, CA lead vocals & guitar
Shawn Durham, '17 St. Louis, MO drums
Liv-E Douglas, '22 New York City, bass
Sally Ratrie '15, Baltimore, vocals
Talia Kaatz '15, Baltimore, vocals
Lisa Weiss, Professor Emerita, Baltimore, keyboards
Branden Arvesen
Hannah Fenster
Cynthia Terry