David L. Seward, M.Ed.

Licensed Professional Counselor

September 10, 1999

Dr. Peggy Whiting

College of Education

Winthrop University

Rock Hill, S.C. 29733

Dear Dr. Whiting,

            In every student’s college career there is one teacher that touches them , a teacher that inspires them, a teacher that helps the student develop confidence. You were that teacher for me, Dr. Whiting.

            Aside from the fact that you made the difficult material that was covered understandable, you reached me on a very personal level. During supervision sessions, I learned things that I use every day in counseling sessions. The big one is finding out what the person wants to work on in that session. What a gift that has been to me. And finding out how little power I really have to change another person.

            You might not remember, but my biggest issue in supervision was an abiding, if irrational, insecurity in my abilities. One session you merely said “I don’t experience you in that way”. Since I believed in your perceptions, I came to dispute the idea and now I don’t experience myself in that way either.

            You might be interested to know that since finishing my M.Ed. in August 1997,  I have stayed with the alcohol and drug commission in Chester. In March of 1998, I began doing private counseling in Lancaster and Rock Hill. I passed the NCE in October 1998 and was granted my LPC in January of 1999.

            I am just writing to say thank you for being a professor and to say how grateful I am that our paths crossed.

Sincerely,

Dave Seward

Copy-Dr. Michael Griffin