Thanks for your service to the GDC Dave & Woodie

[Rich Kressly]

Although I'm very sad to see this information ...

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1011117#post1011117

...regardless of circumstances known or unknown, I wanted to be sure to offer a much deserved public thank you to both Dave Lavery and Dr. Woodie Flowers for their tireless volunteer work as members of the FRC game design committee. Dave served on the committee for a decade and Dr. Flowers for all 20 FRC seasons (I believe) to date. The vision, passion, and dedication to the ethos of the program you both have brought to the work of the GDC will surely be missed.

namaste

[smurfgirl]

Thank you, Dave and Woodie. The time and energy you've put into your work on the GDC and beyond has made a difference to so many people in FIRST.

[ProgramLuke]

Thank you so much for everything that you have done! You have been a major inspiration to me and many others in this community.

[Vikesrock]

Thanks for pointing this out Rich!

Thank you Dave and Woodie for all the work you have put in designing all the interesting, challenging games over the years. Hopefully FIRST will make an effort to allow the whole FRC community and not just those of us here on ChiefDelphi to recognize and applaud these two fantastic individuals for their many years of service.

I will admit I am saddened and a bit worried about future FRC games with the simultaneous loss of both of these longtime GDC members. Having said that, I know both certainly must have had their reasons for leaving and I respect their decision.

[Chris is me]

The title of the thread can't be overstated in my opinion. Game design is HARD work - with the pressure of thousands of teams with tens of thousands of students analyzing your every move, being able to make great games year after year is no easy task.

If it weren't for the great games of the past - how many of you would have been inspired? I know that the deep strategic elements of FRC games were directly responsible for my inspiration by this program. Thanks for everything.

[Dr Theta]

Thank you so much for your extended service to FIRST through the GDC and your incredible integrity we are sorry to see you leave. FIRST will not be the same. You have both been role models that any student could be proud to look up to.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Dave and Woodie,
I am both shocked and saddened at the loss of both of you. One of the stabilizing factors in First has been your dedication and creativity on game design and competition ideals. Few know of the great sacrifice you both have given over the past years in this tireless task.
Al

[SteveGPage]

Dave and Woodie,

I, too, want to echo my sincere thanks for your years (actually, decades) of hard work and leadership. FIRST is the way it is because of your efforts and inspiration. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

*Standing Ovation*

Steve

[Justin Montois]

To say FIRST will not be the same would be an understatement. The entire FIRST community is grateful for your years of dedicated service. I wish you both the best of luck in your future endeavors.

I hope you recognize the impact you both have had on the lives of thousands of students and mentors alike.

This is a sad day.

[Katie_UPS]

Dave and Woodie,

Two of the spunkiest guys that I admired wholly... I can't wait to still see you around.
You guys aren't dead, and thats what makes me happy. :)

Thank you for serving your [robot] nation. You've done well.

-Katie




. (had to)

[Robyn Needel]

To Dave and Woodie,

Thank you both for your many years of mentorship to all of us, adults and students alike. You have inspired so many of us to get involved in helping to make our individual and collective futures brighter and I appreciate your hard work and devotion to FIRST and young people everywhere.

Many thanks!

[SirTasty]

Dave and Woodie,

You will be sorely missed. Thank you for all of your work over the years, bringing FIRST to where it is today.

[MagiChau]

I am fairly new to FIRST but I recognize the importance of the time and dedication Woodie and Dave gave.
They both took on difficult jobs that some of us would back down from. It is impossible to ignore that there was criticism for their decisions, but nothing is ideal and we all know how thankful we are for these two individuals for bearing with the task and providing the challenges that helped in the inspiration and recognization by kids for science and technology.

[IndySam]

I don't think there is a tougher job in FIRST than being on the GDC.

Thanks Dave Lavery and Dr. Flowers for your many years of work on that committee.

[OZ_341]

The GDC will never be the same with out these two incredible human beings. They were the driving force behind the inspiration of so many students and adults in FIRST.
Thank you a thousand times over for your service to our young people.

Al Ostrow
Lead Mentor
Team 341

[maltz1881]

I have to say this is the saddest day that I have had in FIRST. To lose both of these fine gentlemen from the GDC will be hard. It will be hard next year to imagine not hearing from Dave regarding the crazy clues we get every year. Words aren't enough to say how thankful the G.R.A.Y.T. Leviathons are to these fine scholars. The kids and mentors look up to both of you as the true definition of Gracious Professionalism. I thank you for everything.

[Molten]

Thanks for all the work you've done. I certainly hope that the people that replace you are half the men you are. I hope you enjoy some of the newfound downtime that you truly deserve.

Thanks,
Jason

[GaryVoshol]

I am shocked and saddened at this news as well. I appreciate all the hard work these two dedicated people have given over the years. It can't be easy for them either.

I know I've been a critic of some things from time to time, but I hope that I have always been supportive of the GDC, just not the decision.

Thank you Dave and Woodie for all you have done.

[Arefin Bari]

Dave and Woodie,

Thank you.

[Tetraman]

Thank you Dave and Woodie for the years of design you have added to each year's game. I have hope that you will continue to be a force in FIRST programs and inspiration to all. Woodie is my hero and whenever Dave speaks I have my face to my computer screen eager to learn.

FIRST has been going though many changes since I started, and changes like these are really scary, but I can't wait for what the future holds for the new GDC and for the roles that Woodie and Dave will still hold in the FIRST community.

The question for me is, can I still pander to Dave for a spot in the GDC?

[mathking]

Thank you both for your years of service. You have been wonderful emissaries for FIRST, and I hope this doesn't mean the end of your participation with FIRST. I think you are both a big part of why FIRST is changing the world.

[Rosiebotboss]

Dave and Woodie,

Thank you for your service. I do not think FIRST would be what it is today without your guidance through these past years. I am a little worried about the future.

Woodie, you have been a constant, a stabilizing factor, keeping our (my) focus on the students, in the crazy world we call FIRST.

Dave, your (twisted) sense of humor and dedication is unparalleled.

Whenever I talk to some one about FIRST, and I talk to them about Dean, Woodie and Dave as being the 'holy trinity' of FIRST. I hope you will continue as the leaders of this program that we depend on.

[buildmaster5000]

Dave: Thanks for giving us something to do over CHRISTmas break every year.

Dave and Woody: Thank you for giving me something to look forward to every year. I have been truely changed by FIRST and every value it stands for.

You will be missed
Alex

[Mark Holschuh]

My heartfelt thanks to both Dave and Woody, for your hard work on the GDC, and for leading by example. I hope you will both remain active in FIRST in some capacity.

[Siri]

Dave & Woodie,

Thanks so much for everything you've done, and I wish you well in all your future endeavors. I look forward to seeing the other great you'll undoubtedly continue to accomplish.

[Jim Zondag]

Dave and Woodie,
This comes as a complete surprise (and at the same time, perhaps not). I cannot thank you enough for all the great work you have done and all the students you have insprired over these many years.

[pfreivald]

Ditto what everyone else has said. You've both been inspirations for countless young people, and for that we cannot thank you enough.

Enjoy your rest and/or your next projects, whatever that may be!

[Basel A]

Dave and Woodie,

I'm by no means an experienced FIRSTer, but in these last 3 years you've been a massive inspiration to me. Form looking back to your origins and influence in FIRST from years past, to continuing inspiration despite being veterans of over 15 years. By resigning from the GDC, nothing has changed. Nay, I am more inspired than ever to keep to my standards and follow my own "smell tests."

I'm absolutely surprised; I didn't see something this monumental coming. Alongside Dean, you may be two of the most obvious members of FIRST. I can only hope that this is not an end of your influence and participation, but rather a reduction or hiatus. A FIRST without the wisdom of Dave and Woodie may not be a FIRST at all.
-basel


.

[Jared Russell]

Thanks for all of your hard work. No two individuals have robbed me of more sleep over the past decade than you guys!

[thefro526]

Thanks Dave and Woodie.

I'm a bit concerned now that the two of you aren't on the GDC. (Especially Dave) It was nice to know that someone followed the discussions here and listened to our input.

[JesseK]

These two great titans of inspiration will continue to have an affect on our kids' lives for a long time to come. Thanks for everything you have done, Dave and Woodie! Best wishes.

[Motherwoods]

My husband and I have had two children go through the FIRST program, and the positive changes it's made in our lives is immeasurable. I'd like to thank Woodie and Dave for their blood, sweat, and years. They've been a driving force and will be sorely missed on the GDC. I'm hoping they will stay involved with FIRST in some capacity. Like someone said earlier, it won't seem like FIRST without them.

[falconmaster]

Dave, Woodie, Thanks! Hope the new guys will be as great as you were!

[JohnBoucher]

WOW. I am speechless. Thanks to Woodie and Dave for all your efforts.

[JaneYoung]

long-term commitment
requires visionary hearts
role models matter

the trust of many
was given each year because
you were there. Thank you.


I know I will come to terms with this someday as we all move on.
Peace be with you,
Jane

[implosionprez]

Thank you Dave and Woodie, for all that you have done for FIRST, and for changing the lives of so many young people. You will be greatly missed! FIRST won't be the same without you!

Thank you!

Team 2484

[Mr MOE]

Dave and Woody:

Thanks for all your have done to create and nurture FRC. You have been our role models for many years and we cannot thank you enough.

Peace.

[Libby K]

There are simply not enough words to say how much the contributions of Dave and Woodie have given to FIRST, and countless students across the world.

Thank you, both of you, for being a part of FIRST and the GDC for so long.
I hope we still see both of you around for a very long time to come, even if it's in a different role.

:)

LK

[Rich Kressly]

http://frcdirector.blogspot.com/2011/02/build-season-week-four-part-1.html

Part of Bill's Blog addresses the GDC changes and answers some of the questions some of you have ...

[RoboDawg]

Thanks to both of you for all the hard work and commitment! ::D