Respect and Gratitude

Many people have contributed to my personal and academic development—my late father, my beloved mother, my family, my friends, my teachers, and even my students…
Here I wish to express my gratitude to my teachers. Whom should I name? Mustafa Kaya, who sent pocket money in his letters? Semiramis Tuncer, who made me love science? Aliye Bektaş, who fostered my appreciation of Turkish? Resul Güven, who awakened my interest in history? Şengül Tanyel, a true teacher? And the many esteemed primary, secondary, and high school teachers whose names I cannot list here. No words of thanks would be enough. My deepest gratitude…
During my university education, numerous faculty members contributed to my formation; I am honoured to continue working under the same roof at the Faculty of Political Sciences. I offer my sincere thanks to my distinguished colleagues.
With your permission, a special word of thanks to Prof. Dr. Sayın Yüksel Koç Yalkın—from whom I learned a great deal not only in academic matters but also in life; a distinguished scholar and, in the truest sense, a teacher of teachers, whose “assistant” I was proud to be. She is now retired and lives in Istanbul; I wish her a long and healthy life.
And one more thank you: to one who knows.
26 April 2011, Ankara