Thank you very much, Dr. Ruhnke, for that flattering introduction. My most sincere thanks to all of you too, not only for the enormous honor of standing here today but also for the equally enormous opportunity you have provided by your contributions to the American Society of Parasitologists. By keeping this society alive and well you have provided an incredibly supportive environment for the professional development of my students, and for that I am greatly indebted.
I remember Tim Ruhnke's first scientific meeting very well. As an undergraduate he'd come with us to the Southwestern Association of Parasitologists meeting at Lake Texoma. He sat there fairly patiently—actually he was squirming rather impatiently—listening to the student presentations, and after the session was over, he said, “I can do that.” In retrospect, the squirming was probably his desire to get started immediately, having figured out he could “do that.” And sure enough...