All of us need heroes. Throughout my thirty years in honors, two of my heroes have been Sam Schuman and Ted Estess, both of whom not just incorporate but embody the highest values of honors culture in the way that Gary Cooper embodied the Old West. Both are beautiful writers, accomplished scholars, dedicated teachers, generous colleagues, and—without making a fuss about it—indispensable exemplars and mentors for at least two generations of honors directors and faculty. Opening with contributions from both of them makes this a special volume of Honors in Practice. Sam Schuman’s “Valediction” is a speech he gave, somewhat revised for this publication, when the University of North Carolina Asheville dedicated its new fitness center to him. Sch...