Open letter to the ASU Gaming Club

This past week I met with the Appalachian State University Student Programs Department and scheduled event dates for the coming year's ASU Gaming Club. Since I'm moving to Florida soon and starting my doctorate at FSU I won't be able to participate in the club next year.

Prior to our elections I sent out the following letter. I felt like reprinting it here today. If you're interested in joining the ASU Gaming Club, contact one of our officers.

Subject: [Gaming] Thanks for all the fish

Date: March 17, 2009 10:11:53 PM EDT
To: gaming _at_ tux.appstate.edu

The Gaming Club elections this Thursday have a bit more of a special meaning for me this time around than previous years. I imagine that officers in the past have felt similarly, and I've often heard phrases turned this time of year such as "passing the torch" and "handing over". Occasionally, I have also heard "thank god that's over" and "those poor bastards have no idea what they're getting into", but these are usually accompanied with a smirk revealing a truer meaning beyond the words.

I guess it's that time for me. I have graduated three times now and left jobs for better ones over the past 9 years, but unlike my friends I have remained in Boone, always doing something on the campus of Appalachian State. This is a first for me, being the one to have to say good-bye and promising to keep in touch, knowing full well that the future will keep me from doing so as much as I'd like.

I have been accepted to Florida State University to pursue a Ph.d in statistics. I will also be getting married in May before moving down. Unfortunately, this means I won't be at App and can't be the Gaming Club's advisor next year.

So! Our call for leadership includes both elections and the search for a new advisor. There are many willing to take on the role so I am not worried, but whether you are the advisor, president, or a member this club can't continue on without the active service by the motivated few. Many people attend our events and I've heard great things about our club from all over campus.

We are about to start the planning process for next year by scheduling future AppalachLAN dates. This is a sign of confidence by the current officers and members in the future generation. We are planning for your success, but the best and hardest part is up to you.

Video games are the Rock and Roll of our generation. Thank you for giving me the chance to be the advisor of the first ever ASU Gaming Club. We really have been able to do things at ASU that have never been done before, and I hope you all will continue to be the group that pushes the envelope for gamers. People are looking at us, wondering what we're going to do next because they're waiting for us to lead the way.

See you Thursday,

Brent W. Woodruff (fprimex)