I was meant to be in Tallinn yesterday, but due to an official document snafoo, I was here in Helsinki.
Which, as it turns out, wasn’t such a bad place to be. Because I was here, anyway, I opted to go to Professor Markku Henriksson’s retirement lecture, and I am so happy I was there.
There were many high points to Professor Henriksson’s hour-long lecture. It was well thought out, illustrated, and it was presented with flair. He emphasized how much he loves his job — and the packed auditorium, full of international scholars as well as local ones — were evidence of that love. The take-home message, though, was a sad one. The metaphor he used throughout his speech was a corn flower, or in other words, one of these:

The culmination was to quote the surrender speech of Chief Joseph, who was a leader of the Nez Perce people of North America:

“I am tired; my heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever.”

(Chief Joseph surrender speech, from October 5, 1877; see http://www.inthebeginning.com/articles/joseph.htm)

This is when I started crying — I blamed it on allergies — but it was his speech, I admit it. I admit it only because I later found out that others in the audience had the same reaction, so I have to ‘fess up.

Professor Henriksson’s point was that, despite all of international contacts, awards, accolades, influence, mentoring, attention (etc., etc., etc.) his 40 years of service have garnered, his efforts and program have not gained support or recognition from his home university or the Ministry of Education here in Finland. This was a terrifying and saddening truth, and one that, considering I work in the same university, really struck me. At the age of 64, Henriksson could put in another four years before mandatory retirement, but he is exhausted from trying to a fight a battle he will never win.

Perhaps the saddest point is that, despite his courage to speak out, there were scant university officials there to hear his words. That, in and of itself, only drives his point home further.

Thanks to the the Maple Leaf and Eagle organizers for a wonderful event. I met new friends and caught up with old ones. Thanks to Professor Henriksson, too, for creating this wonderful community and atmosphere. I sure hope this won’t be the last of it all.