This is my last report as Headmaster, and it's going to be a little different. Rather than focus on what I've accomplished (or failed to accomplish) over the past two years, I want to try and provide something that I hope will be helpful to everyone planning to apply for this job or any future Dark Council vacancy. Let's talk about shoe size.

I am very appreciative of and humbled by the words of thanks and shrimping I have received since Sarin announced my resignation. It really means a lot to me. What strikes me the most, though, is how many people have commented that I am leaving large shoes to fill. It is a common idiom and (most?) people are not literally concerned that my successor might need to use orthotics, but I want to be clear on this: those large shoes are not mine; they belong to the office, and over the past two years many people have worn them with me.

Ood, Meleu, Farrin, Qormus, Mirus, Alishu, Aabs, Marcus, Bentre, Val, Evant, Wally, Xantros, Zed, Dan, Turel, Tra'an, Lexic, Solari, Arch, Sang, Dante, Jac, Yacks, Teu, Zagro, Ernor, Celahir, Raiju, Anshar, Malik, Darkblade, Mav, Halc, Kelly, Mac, Ceth, dbb0t, James, the whole ACC crew, and even Howie (#PandaCON16). This isn't even a complete list! Everyone who emailed me or pinged me on IRC or Telegram (or Diablo III -- I'm looking at you, Mord :p) about course errors or ideas played an important role in maintaining and improving the Shadow Academy and keeping me accountable for it. I'm not exaggerating when I say that Every. Single. Thing. that happened in the past two years was a group effort.

For so many members who aren't recruited by friends or family, the Shadow Academy is their first introduction to the Brotherhood. Sometimes they've taken several Novitiate Hall courses before they feel comfortable talking to their clanmates. Make them want to stay, to learn, to engage; then give them a reason to come back throughout their Brotherhood careers. That's the measure of success for a Headmaster.

So here is my advice to future Headmasters: find smart, capable, kind people and keep them close, but don't become insular. Listen to the two-day-old Novitiate's criticisms, address them, and then ask for more. Do the same for the grizzled veteran. Don't ever turn down help from someone who is willing and able, and take pains to publicly recognize others' contributions.

You can't do it alone; your feet are too small.

Two Years of Stats

Since my last report, the top five exam takers at the SA are:

Name	# of Exams	# of Academic Credits
Neophyte Lucifer Romanov	29	23
Neophyte Sha'hone Mysto	22	8
Acolyte Zujenia	22	12
Runner Zekk Renn	17	0
Proselyte Jeviete	14	6

Great work, everyone!

Now, since this is my last report, here are some big numbers since April 30, 2014:

Total exams graded: 11,959
Number of distinct graders: 55

Top Five exam takers:
Battlemaster Lexiconus Qor: 140 exams, 303 academic credits
Knight Alara Deathbane: 132 exams, 177 academic credits
Mystic Darkblade: 131 exams, 242 academic credits
Battlemaster Zagro Fenn: 127 exams, 207 academic credits
Battlemaster Bentre Kairn'tel Stahoes: 111 exams, 156 academic credits

Top Five graders not named dbb0t (who graded 6731 exams):
Moff Zanet Xox: 662 exams, 6 hour average grading time
Augur Sanguinius Tsucyra Entar: 527 exams, 3 hour average grading time
Mystic Marcus Kiriyu: 450 exams, 5 hour average grading time
Adept Dacien Victae di Plagia: 357 exams, 10 day (!) average grading time (this is because of the Fading Light and GJW trivia courses that were graded at the end of the 30 day comps; I swear I'm not that lazy :p)
Battlemaster Zagro Fenn: 277 exams, 6 hour average grading time

I want to note that, with the exception of the ACC courses which are graded by ACC judges and take considerable effort to score, the SA has kept its total average grading time well below the 24 hour goal for years now. I'm very proud of everyone on the staff for that feat.

Conclusion

I'm not going to talk about pending projects here. It's unlikely that anything is going to happen in my remaining few days as Headmaster, and I want to leave it to my successor to chart whatever course he or she chooses. When my replacement is announced, I will be returning to Plagueis and enjoying some time away from management while I try to get my real life work schedule under control. Again, I want to thank everyone who has helped me over the past two years: the amazing SA staff, all of the impressive and awesome Dark Councillors, Muz, Raken, Sarin, and Mav for hiring/not firing me. :p

Send all of your Headmaster applications to Sarin and Mav no later than May 5! I'm happy to answer any questions you have about the job.

One last time, I am going to ask that if you spot any errors in SA course notes or exams, or if you have any great course ideas, my door remains open.

Bubba

Adept Dacien Victae di Plagia
Headmaster of the Dark Jedi Brotherhood