Dr Paletz, more than any professor I encountered at Duke, made a profound impact on my life after Duke. I'm certain that the critical thinking and generalized posture of questioning the status quo that he encouraged in his courses has informed my approach to my career as a journalist, writer and editor.
I have so many memories of being challenged and nurtured in his courses – not least of all when I was a student journalist covering the Duke lacrosse scandal. I skidded into his media and politics seminar late, having been delayed at a police press conference. Dr Paletz paused the course discussion, asked me to brief the class on the status of the investigation, and then said, "Go, get back out there, you've got to keep working!" He encouraged my interest in journalism and was nothing but supportive of my applications for internships and fellowships with London-based publications and universities.
I view most of my undergraduate studies at Duke as well-intentioned errors – motivated by a desire to study something respected and credible, I set aside what I really wanted to do: read and write fiction. As a function of this halfhearted interest, I remember little about most of my Political Science classes. Not Dr Paletz's – those are clear. My single meaningful memory from graduation in 2007 is Dr Paletz halting the distribution of Political Science diplomas so he could hand me mine, with a firm handshake and a smile. That gesture made me feel accomplished and respected.
I have been a staff reporter and editor at top-tier newspapers and magazines in London and New York for nearly 20 years, and am now a freelance journalist contributing to publications including the Financial Times, Sunday Times, Telegraph, Elle, Harper's Bazaar and the Wall Street Journal. I'm also (finally) pursuing a master's in creative writing. Dr Paletz may be tickled to know that last week, a New Yorker writer interviewed me about a podcast I produced a few years ago concerning the history and social context of women's underwear. In all the times I've fantasized about speaking with the New Yorker, I never imagined it would be about the political implications of the push-up bra.
Emily Cronin