<p>My son is grauating this year and one of his professors has been very helpful to him. He provided his initial research position and steered him toward other opportunities, he helped with advising and provided excellent references and advice for his job search. My son has thanked him in person every step of the way and is planning to send him a thank you letter after graduation. Is that enough or do people do more?</p>
<p>My dad has been an engineering professor (teaching and research) for almost 50 years. What he appreciates most are heartfelt letters. He doesn’t need more “stuff.” Most profs get a ton of that, especially from foreign students. My parents’ house looks like an Asian museum! </p>
<p>Genuine thank-yous are rarer than you think. I would encourage your son to spend some time on a letter - maybe even hand-write it (gasp!). His prof will cherish that always.</p>
<p>…especially if he mentions how he was able to apply something that he learned in the class IRL. All of my professors were genuinely excited to know that what they teach was being put to a good use. </p>
<p>Anything is a blessing.</p>
<p>Also, have your son consider sending a copy of the letter to the prof’s Dean. If I were him, that would be appreciated. I wrote a couple of very sincere thank you letters to two of my daughter’s HS teachers and sent copies of each to the principal and superintendent (we are in a very small town) and both said that meant more than any gift we could have given them. </p>
<p>Maybe a kidney?</p>
<p>Perhaps he could join you and your family for a nice meal after graduation?</p>