Acknowledgements

Mis mejores deseos para Paula, mi madre académica durante mis estudios de máster y doctorado en The University of Iowa. Nadie mejor que ella para transmitir el amor por la sintaxis y por el análisis riguroso. Graciñas por todo o que me ensichase e por todos os bos momentos en Iowa City e en Asturias. – Pilar García Mayo

An undergraduate, I knocked at her office door. “Are you Paula?” “To my friends,” she replied. Those words and the fear they struck into me were my introduction to a woman who would become one of my favorite people at the University of Iowa. Much love, much respect, and many thanks. – Mike Iverson

Setting out on the right footing is fundamental to both the journey and final destination. Those of us who were fortunate enough to have had you as a professor and mentor early in our careers owe you a debt of gratitude. Take care. – Tiffany Judy

Esta dedicatoria en español honra los logros profesionales de Paula, quien ha hecho de la sintaxis española el centro de su labor académica. Y es también en esta lengua que nuestra amistad nació, creció y se ha mantenido a lo largo de 30 años. La sintaxis es el orden, principio que ha permeado su vida, infundiéndole un orden casi musical. – Mercedes Niño-Murcia

Sixteen years ago we met at the LSA where I gave a talk. This was just a few weeks before I would come to Iowa for my formal interview (and give the same boring talk). I was excited and appreciative that you were there, yet unnerved just the same. But you were kind, funny, helpful and, above all, direct. Of course, this was exactly what I could come to expect and depend on as your colleague when I got the job. You probably did not know and will refuse to fully accept that your dedication, tenacity, knowledge, passion, intelligence and even the occasional rough edges were formative and inspiring to me. This is what I remember most about you and have come to appreciate more and more as I have matured (I hope) as a scholar, researcher and colleague. Thanks for being a great example to so many. And, congratulations on a wonderful career of purpose, contributions and enduring legacy. Now enjoy the fruits of it! – Jason Rothman

When I moved to Iowa City in 1998, there was no more glamorous person for me in linguistics than Paula. Always with a cup of coffee in hand and her penetrating sense of humor. Her knowledge of syntax was not just phenomenal but imparted confidently and with immense clarity. Reading group meetings with Paula and Alice and Elena were a syntax-semantics heaven. One more thing I am grateful for: being introduced to Asturias, her favorite place on Earth. To many more years, Paula, with love! – Roumyana Slabakova