Wes Graf Retires: Happy Sails!

On Monday, Wes Graf was celebrated in the Staff Lounge for his 32 years of service at UVM. Paul Philbin commented on Wes' outstanding achievements, both personally and professionally. Here are few highlights:

Wes’ favorite TV show is “Deadliest Catch” – an interest that stems from his days as a fisherman in Alaska. In his early days, he was a fish monger. Drove down to coast of Mass., pick up fish to sell on the corners of the Streets of Burlington.

Of course, more importantly, Wes has contributed greatly to the video history of the University. He’s received recognition for at least three productions:

In 1981, “Three Generations,” a video production that traces the changes made in Vermont’s treatment of retarded citizens. In 1983, “Coping With Terminal Illness,” received a Certificate of Merit at the International Rehabilitation Film Festival. In 1987, he created, “On My Own: The Traditions of Daisy Turner,” a video production about the life of a daughter of a former slave, 102-year-old Daisy Turner. She recalls childhood incidents and her father’s Civil War experiences and talks about life in her homestead in Vermont. Folklorist Jane Beck fills in details about traditions preserved in the Turner family.

Congrats, Wes, on a job well done!