my is costas panagopoulos. i am the. of the department of political science here at northeastern. or, if you will, next to kitty. governor dukakis was last boss. i was honored to serve with mike as my colleague for several years to witness his dedication to our students, to our faculty, and to the broader northeastern community. i first met governor dukakis as a 16 year old in 1988 when i was elected president of the massachusetts association of student councils. i wish i could say have aged as gracefully as you have, mike. there we are on the right. there. at that time, you wrote me a very letter and i've treasured it for 36 years. what impressed most about your letter was not the fact that you sent it, but the fact that it was dated july six, 1988, 12 days before the democratic national convention, just days before what was. the most high profile event of your political career? you made it a priority to write to high school sophomore in your state to congratulate him on an achievement. i'd like to read an excerpt from that letter. quote, i would like to extend commendations and