So tomorrow is the first day of classes for the spring semester of 2010. I've just had six weeks off, and yet I'm still not ready for classes to begin. Even my course syllabi are not yet done, as I am a living example of the philosophy, "Never put off for tomorrow what you can put off for the day after."
Nevertheless, I'm excited about the semester beginning, and nervous about what I'm going to cover in class. Even after fifteen years of doing this, my courses and style continue to evolve, at least incrementally. One of the projects that I've committed to this spring is to post regularly to a departmental blog. This is that blog, though it will also contain things of a personal nature because, frankly, I'm too flighty to regularly contribute to more than one writing space.
So welcome back, eager students. Next time I write, it will be about achieving perfection.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
What would Milton say?
I'm doing some wordsmithing, and am up against it. The idea is not original (I did plug the phrases into google to see if I'd inadvertently lifted them from somebody else, and so far I think I'm in the clear. Please advise if you know otherwise)--but I am hoping to express it forcefully. I've narrowed it down to two alternatives, and if you'd help me choose, it would be appreciated.
"The unfortunate thing about free speech is that you often get exactly what you pay for."
"The unfortunate thing about free speech is that you often get your money's worth."
And if you'd be willing to channel the spirit of the late, great Milton Friedman in making your choice, please do so.
"The unfortunate thing about free speech is that you often get exactly what you pay for."
"The unfortunate thing about free speech is that you often get your money's worth."
And if you'd be willing to channel the spirit of the late, great Milton Friedman in making your choice, please do so.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Thursday, May 3, 2007
First Post...
After a long absence, I'm returning to Baker University to teach once again.
Ten years ago, I spent a year at Baker filling in for Stuart Dorsey, who had been appointed interim Academic Dean. With the exception of the year I spent on sabbatical in Palau (while my darling wife worked), it was the best year of my life.
This spring, I got the opportunity to come back, and though I love my current job and though I'm well-settled in central Illinois, the chance to return to Kansas, where my family is and my heart lies, was too much to pass up.
Not that that's all that has motivated me to return--after all, I've been gone a decade, and there have been plenty of chances to apply for jobs in Kansas during that time. But I was waiting for the right job to come along, and it took ten years to materialize. When it did, it was right back at BU. How exciting! I've got to tell you, I can't wait to be back in the small-college atmosphere again!
Ten years ago, I spent a year at Baker filling in for Stuart Dorsey, who had been appointed interim Academic Dean. With the exception of the year I spent on sabbatical in Palau (while my darling wife worked), it was the best year of my life.
This spring, I got the opportunity to come back, and though I love my current job and though I'm well-settled in central Illinois, the chance to return to Kansas, where my family is and my heart lies, was too much to pass up.
Not that that's all that has motivated me to return--after all, I've been gone a decade, and there have been plenty of chances to apply for jobs in Kansas during that time. But I was waiting for the right job to come along, and it took ten years to materialize. When it did, it was right back at BU. How exciting! I've got to tell you, I can't wait to be back in the small-college atmosphere again!
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