Mark. W. Himmelein, OFLA President
Professor of German, University of Mount Union
The end of another academic year is just around the corner for most of us. Some at the post-secondary level might well be done by the time our outstanding editor and her team publishes this newsletter. Regardless, I am certain that all of us are looking forward to warmer weather and also to time to relax, recharge, and enjoy some downtime. OFLA, of course, continues with its mission and programming. In this edition of The Cardinal you will read about our upcoming summer mini conferences and professional development opportunities. Over the summer OFLA will also welcome its newly elected officers and committee chairs. They will bring to OFLA new ideas from which we all will benefit. At the same time, some board members, myself included, will be transitioning into new roles or leaving the board altogether. To these incredibly talented and dedicated colleagues I thank you for all you have done for OFLA during your term(s). Clearly, your leadership guided us through a very troubled period with cancellations, postponements, and the pivot to online delivery of professional development activities, not to mention the financial challenges that ensued from the unforeseeable events of the last few years. With the return of our annual spring conference this past March with the Central States Conference, we took yet another big step toward returning to the OFLA we knew before 2020. It was certainly very enjoyable to meet again face to face with other Ohio colleagues and to welcome guests from across the nation to the Buckeye State! Since this will be my final letter to the membership as OFLA president, allow me to offer a little advice and some food for thought.
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