Testimonials
"I experienced the Retreat as an exercise
in voluntary simplicity, an opportunity to strip away the clutter
of my life so that I could focus. The Retreat offered time and
space to reconnect my research and writing. I discovered that
the passion that I experience for my research was buried in a
pile of words and not very readable words at that! The feedback
and guidance I received from William and Sonja helped me see
beyond the clutter. Thank you for a wonderful experience."
"Dr. Foss' coaching and advising, through
the Scholars' Retreat, are the reasons I actually finished my
dissertation in less than a lifetime."
"I was fortunate enough to win the
National Communication Association's dissertation award, an accomplishment
due largely to my wonderfully productive experiences at the Scholars'
Retreat. Sonja helped transform me from a panicked, unfocused
ABD to a relieved and proud Ph.D. Her writing strategies are
simple but extremely effective. If you're blocked, she'll get
you to write; if you're confused, she'll help you to see clearly;
if you lack confidence, she'll get you working to reverse your
state of mind. Although I began the summer workshop with no
more than a chapter under my belt, I had an entire final draft
of the dissertation in my hands by the end of August. As I recall
those days of hard work, I am still amazed at all she was able
to do for me."
"Scholars' Retreat was such a powerful
experience, both professionally and personally. Not only did
I receive excellent guidance and direction about how to proceed
with analyzing and interpreting my data, but it was provided
with care and genuine concern. In my work with elementary teachers,
I stress the importance of making the most of every minute with
young children. That's what happened at the writing camp--every
minute counted as all of us in the group worked to complete our
papers in an atmosphere of support and encouragement. I left
with a rough draft of my dissertation, providing me with the
impetus and desire to finish. Sonja is a goddess. She is so
quick to see exactly what each person needs, and she makes sure
that everybody reaches their writing goals."
"The personal feedback available all
day is the true value of Scholars' Retreat and priceless as far
as I see it."
"Scholars' Retreat is the reason my
dissertation is going so well, so I'm eternally grateful."
"I liked how the schedule was set up. The
morning walk was wonderful. Meal times were perfect, and the
social hour was perfect, too. Thank you so much, Sonja. I had
a wonderful experience. I appreciated being around your strength
and energy."
"I felt soooo pampered, Sonja,
having you on call for my work. I had no idea, before I came,
how on call you are. I had no idea how available you'd be to
all of us all the time. That's probably the biggest plus."
"You talk through the theory with
the person--you're willing to take all the time the individual
needs--whatever the stage--to unearth missing links."
"I expected workshops in the group
on issues (although I did not want them). I loved that all consultation
was one to one, addressing individual concerns."
"The cost seemed a bit high to me
before I came, but now I think it was worth every penny."
"Your techniques and approaches to
mounds of data are what people need to know before they waste
years trying to figure out how to cope!"
"This has been a very nourishing experience.
I can't explain what an unusual combination of work and respect
and acceptance and humor and care the Retreat has been."
"Before I arrived, the schedule looked
brutal, but it really wasn't. The chunks of writing time, punctuated
by meals, were just the right length of time."
"I appreciate your ability to keep
us on schedule and focused--I'm sure that's a big factor for
all of us (why we're not done). Helps to be taught how much
you get done if you sit down and stick to it."
"Thanks so much for help, hospitality,
warmth, and a safe environment in which to slog through this!"
"I think the Retreat was wonderful!
I can't thank you enough for the experience. For the first
time since I started the dissertation process, I know
that I can finish."
"Sonja and William, you're awesome.
I didn't think I needed the week as much as I ended up needing
it and the two of you. Thanks!"
"It was a great week, and I'm so glad
I came. I have renewed energy about my work and better focus
on how I can go about getting my work done. Now, when I'm not
writing, I find myself eager to get back to it."
"During the Retreat, I always knew
that when I asked you a question or sought your help that I would
be treated with complete respect and patience. I could let down
my guard; I knew that I was in a safe place where learning doesn't
have to be painful to my ego or esteem."
"It will be a long time before I'll
be in such a supportive and spirited community of scholars again.
Thanks for the orchestration."
"I have been waiting for over three
weeks to hear from my dissertation chair and finally got the
following message, which I will quote exactly because I am too
excited to create anything myself: `Congratulations. This is
a lovely job! It's significant, well constructed, logical, and
persuasive. You're ready to go. Great going!' I couldn't have
done this without `boot camp.'"
"I need another week. When's the
next one?"
Newspaper Articles
Smallwood, Scott. "A
Week at Camp Dissertation: Stragglers and Procrastinators Find Focus
at a Scholar's Retreat in Colorado." The Chronicle of
Higher Education, July 16, 2004, pp. A10-A12.
Leatherman, Courtney. "A
New Push for ABD's to Cross the Finish Line." The Chronicle
of Higher Education, March 24, 2000, pp. A18-A20.
Goodland, Marianne. "All-But-Dissertation
Candidates Find Help at Camp Run by UCD's Foss." Silver
& Gold Record [University of Colorado at Denver], July 6,
2000, p. 4.
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