Celebrating Jos Lemmink's Career at His Farewell Symposium at the University of Maastricht

One of the key events of this trip to Europe was to attend Dr. Jos Lemmink's "Farewell Symposium" at the University of Maastricht.  This was a special event and was attended by many of his former PhD students and several colleagues. I served as a moderator for a session that included 8 former PhD students discussing service innovation and AI in business schools.  Several former students shared stories of how Jos had impacted their research and/or their academic careers.

Jos received the Tans Medal of Honor from Nick Bos

As I understand it, Jos was quite surprised to learn he was receiving the Tans Medal of Honor.  This is apparently a very BIG deal...If I understand correctly, only 5 have been so honored at the University of Maastricht.  The Tans Medal is the University of Maastricht's highest distinction and honors those who have made a significant contribution to the development of the university.

Jos and Dwayne after the Farewell ceremony.

Candy and I were able to spend a bit of time with Jos and Marian the day after the ceremony.  We had drinks on the Onzw Lieve Vrouweplein ("OLV Plein")...THE place in Maastricht to hand out with friends....and enjoyed catching up with them.

Dwayne, Jos, Candy, and Marian

In terms of my connection  with Jos, I first met him at a conference in Karlstad, Sweden, in June, 1996.  He invited me to visit his university, which I ultimately did for six weeks in 1998.  Shortly after that he became the Chair of the Department of Marketing.  In 2002 I helped to organize the Frontiers in Service conference in Maastricht (the first time it was held outside of the U.S.).  The entire family came with me...the first time our girls travelled outside of the U.S.

The Lemminks hosted the Gremlers in their back yard (in 2002).

A couple of years later I applied for a Fulbright Scholarship at the University of Maastricht.  Jos wrote a letter of invitation that was quite influential in me receiving the Fulbright.  Our entire family lived in Maastricht from January through July, 2006.  By that time Jos had become Dean of the Business School, a position he held for 8 years.

Dwayne and Dean Jos during Carnival at the Business School in February, 2006

Revisiting Our "Home Away From Home" in Maastricht, The Netherlands

 Nearly one year ago we kicked off my sabbatical travels with a trip to Maastricht to attend a conference they were hosting.  This trip will be the last of 5 trips to Europe that occurred in the past 12 months.  It is quite possible you have seen pictures of us at the Vrijthof in the city center.  We flew all night and stayed awake.  Once we arrived in Maastricht we took a walk around the city that seems like a second home.

Some iconic symbols of Maastricht (no, not Candy and Dwayne)

Although we recognize many stores in the city, some change has occurred.  Mallory's favorite store, Claires, is no longer.  And, there is now a store devoted to rubber duckies.