Before coming to UBC in 2005, I spoke to two people in Alberta separately about my desire to study in UBC. “Do you know Doug Pulleyblank?” “Will you be studying under him?” They enquired. “I hope so”, I said. I had been in touch with you via e-mail prior to submitting my application and you encouraged me to apply. “He is a wonderful person”, one of them remarked. The other said: “he is an excellent phonologist”. They were both happy for me that I chose to study under you, though they had earlier encouraged me to do my doctoral studies with them. In less than a year at UBC, I concluded that you were much more than the personality I had assumed from both statements.
But there was a little disappointment. You never taught any of the courses I took during my first two years in UBC. You were missing in all the courses I took. But I was deprived of the opportunity to learn from you. Attending your lectures as a teaching assistant for your undergraduate courses was as good as being a student in your class, even better. In addition to learning the content of the undergraduate phonology courses from an excellent phonologist, I learned how to teach (phonology), acquired the skills of student engagement from a wonderful personality and the ethics of grading student assignments. You made teaching phonology so effortless and fun. You would speak little yet communicate so much. As a student preparing for a career in academia, it was probably more beneficial for me learning from you as a teaching assistant.
The happiest moment came when you agreed to supervise my dissertation. I was not certain that you would agree to supervise me given that you had not taught me. Interestingly, just as I had in Alberta, all potential supervisors (Gunnar Hansson, Pat Shaw, Bryan Gick) encouraged me to approach you to supervise my dissertation. And this was when I saw the most of your wonderfulness. You were there for me during my moments of progress and distress. In fact, you were there for everyone of your students. In all your interactions with me, your focus was on what I could accomplish in the future. You encouraged me to balance my work with recreation.
I deeply appreciate every one of those moments, including the fatherly pieces of advice and the invite for wall-climbing with you and Anne-Marie. Unfortunately, I lost the little wall-climbing skills I developed because I couldn’t find walls to climb in Ghana. I truly cherish the moments of jokes, fun and laughter and most amazingly, the free three-month stay in your house during the summer of 2010 while you and Anne-Marie were on vacation.
A hearty congratulations to you on your retirement after decades of excellent teaching, research and mentorship. You have a permanent place in my memory. I will never forget of your impact on my doctoral studies and my academic career in general. UBC will forever miss you. Congratulations to Anne-Marie too. I suppose you will now have more of Doug. Ohh, congrats to your grandkids too. Your life in retirement, with little or no academics, will never be boring, especially with Anne-Marie by your side.