Mentors/Mentorship

December 14mentors,mentorship,larry broussard,friends

I am thankful for mentors and mentorship. There's nothing more gratifying than for someone to take you under his/her wing and mentor, teach, and lead you. Mentors and "mentees" have a special relationship that can be the deepest kind of friendship that exists. Without mentors, we would surely be pretty much on our own, stumbling through life. Mentors are specail people who give of their own time to help others in a deep and meaningful way. The message sent is "I care enough about you that I will give my time and heart felt effort to help you become the best that you can be." So special.

This is my friend and mentor, Larry Broussard. This photo was taken at Louie's Cafe prior to going to an LSU basketball game last winter. I first met Larry as a fellow graduate students at the University of Texas in Austin. Interestingly, we both were studying under Dr. William Shive in the Biochemistry Department at U.T., and, although we didn't know each other at the time, as LSU undergraduate students had both worked for and been mentored by Gerald Risinger in biochemistry. It was Larry who introduced me to clinical chemistry and we both ended up going to LSU Medical Center to study it in the Department of Pathology. Larry and I share our common interest in clinical chemistry and LSU sports and have kept up with each other over the years.

It is also very rewarding to mentor somebody. I have had students over the years for whom I have served as a mentor. Of these, my lone Ph.D. graduate student, Joanie Brocato, has gone on to become a DNA analyst and manager of the DNA section of the Louisiana State Crime Lab. I am very proud of Joanie. We have also remained good friends over the years.

so special

so special

the good bond that exists

between mentor and mentee

and of all it consists

you give of yourself

so later i might give

to another deserving

so better they can live

thank you my role model

for showing the way

i thank you continuously

every single day.

© rt tulley