Coming late to the UMW Faculty Academy experience, I have heard on several occasions during this year’s event that I was spoiled. Why, you ask? I am sure there are many reasons, but one certainty is that this year’s conference did an exceptional job of framing the space where scholarship, technology and camaraderie intersect through a philosophical lens. It is truly an exceptional thing to have a supervisor and colleagues who refuse to succumb to criticism and constantly raise the bar for excellence to an ever-higher level. The group of ITSs I have joined seems to have the uncanny ability to bring out the best in one another, and this represents a unique form of chemistry that more often than not defines success. It also helps to have people like Rachel Smith, Jon Udell and Cyprien Lomas encouraging and shaping the work we are doing here -as they all superbly did during this year’s Faculty Academy. A little recognition from a cool guy who brings generosity, wit, and a hyper-analytical mind to IT concerns never hurts either. Yet, all these elements would be irrelevant without the unbelievably dedicated faculty at UMW that made this event both possible and meaningful.
Upon reflection, Faculty Academy 2006 (at least for me) was about the future of now, and how the members of DTLT at the the Unviersity of Mary Washington are trying to define this concept as well as continually push it forward. I had no idea on a rainy day last October (when I interviewed for this job) of how quickly and how forcefully the people I was speaking to were going to push the boundaries of their discipline. Serendipity sublimated … thanks y’all.
That rainy day in October has led to some brilliant sunshine throughout the land. I am very grateful, and eagerly anticipate our next steps together. Can’t wait, in fact.
Now where’s that Lyceum blog? I’m in the JG Activation Pool and loving it, but I’m holding you to that blog promise. 🙂
Gardner.
It’s next up on my list, so stayed tuned for a wee bit! It should be out this evening, for I believe I am done cleaning up all the typos on my last blog post. I really am the king of re-editing published blogs – it’s really bad … I must work on this!
Jim – you are right, the chemistry makes all the difference! You have brought some great talents to our chemical mix, mainly the unstable/explosive compounds. Thank goodness – it was so quiet here before. 🙂
Jerry,
you are not allowed to defame me on my blog, that is only for staff meetings!