Dear Dr. Bonner,
Earlier this year when you announced you would be stepping down as university president, my heart broke. You have been a big presence on our campus, something other colleges aren't lucky enough to have.
In my two years at Alabama, we have had some exciting, interesting and scary times, but through it all, you have been there for all 36,000 of us. From cancelling school on snow days to your video with Bill Cosby, we have looked to you for leadership and guidance. You have never failed us, and we have a lot to thank you for.
Thank you for letting us call you J.Bo.
We promise the nickname is out of love. Dr. Bonner seems very formal for such a friendly figure on campus. Your nickname is much more than a term of endearment. You are not a omniscient presence looming over campus- you're a friend to students, faculty, and staff alike.
Thank you for understanding the uncertainty and anxiety that comes along with Pendragongate 2014.
Thank you for the snow days.
Thank you for knowing that we are just college students learning to grow up.
It is hard to always make the right decision for 36,000 students plus faculty and staff, but I think you always put the students and faculty first. During the days when Arthur Pendragon anonymously loomed over our campus, you understood we were frightened.
When temperatures hit below freezing, and snow fell around Denny Chimes, you knew we needed a (well-deserved) snow day. Canceling school was probably not your first choice, but we definitely appreciated it.
Thank you for being just as proud of us as we are of you.
No matter what occurred on this campus while you were here, you managed to keep our heads high. You always let us know that we truly make up the Capstone.
Never once have you laid down a disciplinary hand on us. You strive to work with your students, making sure to create a middle ground between the students and yourself, as well as the rest of the leadership at Alabama.
Whether it was a crippling football loss or bad weather, you helped keep our heads high. Not only have you supported us in the bad times, but you have made the good times better.
You led our school to record breaking numbers with enrollment, graduation, retention rates, and smiles.
So all in all thank you for your years of service to our university. You will always have a home in the University of Alabama and in our hearts. It's not a goodbye, but a "see you later and roll tide."
Sincerely,
Your Students
Here's a throwback to when Dr. Bonner was officially named university president. #blessed.
