he rummaged in a pocket , extracted a piece of paper and began to read : `` whereas one of our colleagues has nearly single-handedly undertaken a project that reflects well on the division of fine arts and midstate university , and whereas said faculty member had some obstacles thrown in her path just as she was bringing her project to fruition , and whereas researching , negotiating and collecting the objects necessary for such a major exhibition would be formidable even without an obstructionist 's interference , and whereas said colleague only narrowly avoided a total meltdown ... . '' a gentle titter began to arise in the group and antonia westphall began to squirm as mcfarland continued .