Introduction

In October 2010, I was invited to serve as the Chair of the 2012 Research Symposium by Dr. Donald Godfrey, then the Chair of the Research Committee and a long time member and of cer in the BEA, as well as a professional colleague and friend. I was honored to receive Don’s invitation, in part due to my own years of service to the BEA as an of cer and former President, and as a recipient of the 2009 Distinguished Scholar Award. I was also humbled to join a list of distinguished scholars before me who had undertaken this task for the BEA.