<p>Hello all. My oldest child is graduating from college, and he has had several professors who have been great mentors throughout 3 of his 4 years in school. They have helped him with his research, his honors thesis, and they helped him obtain a job after college. </p>
<p>It feels like he should give them some kind of gift when he graduates, but neither he nor I have a clue as to what might be appropriate. Does anybody have a good suggestion of what might be appropriate to show gratitude for a professor's attention to a student without intimating that he or she has provided more than should be part of a good professor's job description.</p>
<p>I had a friend who was in a similar situation. He was graduating and had one immensely helpful and kind prof who was always willing to go out of his way to help my friend out. So, come graduation time, he felt obligated to buy the man a gift but decided against it. There is something far more meaningful that a student can do for the prof and that is stay in contact and actively seek his or her advice well into the future. The prof will be very humbled at the fact that your son cares enough to still seek his advice well after graduation. My friend graduated 5 years ago and still calls the prof from time to time and always visits him when he comes up to Boston. Friendship itself is the best gift sometimes. So while the idea of buying a gift might be nice, it really isn't the only way to show appreciation.</p>
<p>my mom is a college professor and at the end of the year she usually gets a few starbucks gift cards, potted plants, see's candies, etc etc. however what means the most to her are the cards where the student expresses his/her gratitude. those always mean the most. i suggest your child write a letter giving thanks.</p>
<p>I second the letter. And even more so, let the student make a notation in a calendar (electronic will do) for every 5 or 10 years or so to update these professors on what he's done and how they are still influencing him. And then, how he's "paying it forward".</p>
<p>i never gave any of mine a gift, but i have seen some of them on campus when i've been back visiting and they all remembered me and were genuinely interested in what i had been doing with myself.</p>
<p>Put the professor on your Christmas/Holiday card list, and FAITHFULLY send a note about your "doings" every year. I treasure those which I receive more than any gift from anyone. </p>
<p>We had a discussion with the minister who married us, who was a family friend, about what contribution folks make to him. We laughingly suggested that every year we send him a dollar for how many years we have been married, paying him for a job well done! In a way those cards coming every year are a wonderful payback for a job well done, though often if not usually teaching things not a part of the course content. </p>
<p>Good luck with finding just the right touch. Lorelei</p>
<p>My D took her honors thesis advisor/mentor out to tea (the woman loved tea) and while they were at the tea shop, the woman admired a teapot from Russia.D went back and purchased the teapot for her as a thank you.It was especially meaningful as the prof was adopting a Russian baby that summer.
She has kept in touch with her since entering grad school telling her about TA'ing,research progress,etc.</p>
<p>When I heard my favorite prof from grad school was turning 60, I sent him 60 postcards I had collected from all over the world, each with a favorite quotation written on it. He was very touched.</p>
<p>Thank you, everyone, for taking the time to respond. I guess the sincere, personal connections always win out. My son has sent cards to these professors at the end of each school year, but I'm sure he can whip some special ones that encompass his gratitude for all the years together. </p>
<p>I love the idea of keeping in touch on a regular basis. I wish I had done that with more of my own mentors and friends. Thanks again.</p>