Twenty-five years at the helm of the National Association of Scholars (NAS) have left the author with vivid memories: of knocks and bruises, peaks of exhilaration and, especially, unforgettable characters. But as for lessons learned, that's a very different story. In this article, the author shares some of the successes that happened in NAS for the past 25 years and the ways to promote reform in the field. He also bids farewell to all his colleagues in the common cause as he takes new professional adventures.