Ciao!

Hit the ground running

08.28.2006

Well, my first day of classes at Dickinson is over. Though it's too early to have any real "impression" since all I really did was introduce myself, hand out syllabi, and briefly outline the upcoming semester. But so far things have gone well enough. Tomorrow I meet my Latin American politics students (today was all intro to comparative politics) & we'll see how that goes.

But it's amazing how much busier I am than I'd anticipated. Besides orientation, there was just a host of little details to finish before classes began. Having my own office — one that isn't shared w/ anyone else — has made me want to devote some time & thought to its organization. And I should note that my new Brother labelmaker & I have become fast friends. Having a personal, in-office printer is also great; I've taken to typing up my class lecture (though I don't really "lecture" of course) notes, rather than trying to read my scrawl.

Yesterday was Convocation. I missed Thursday's sign-in ceremony (though I glimpsed parts of it from my office window). I'm incredibly fascinated by the traditions (old & "reinvented") of a small liberal arts college. Having never attended one (I'm a proud product of public state universities, thankyouverymuch), I'll admit that I sometimes feel a bit of an outsider. But the traditions, I'm sure, will grow on me soon enough.

So what is the Sign-in ceremony? See, the oldest building on campus (Old West, built in 1803, the college was founded in 1773) has a set of broad front doors. These are almost never used. They're used by students only twice: on the day they enter the college, when they "sign into" the college (I believe they do literally sign their names somewhere), and on the day they graduate. Otherwise, the doors remain closed and students, faculty, and staff enter/exit from the side doors. Quaint. There's also, of course, pomp & circumstance, and speeches of various kinds to mark the occasion.

Convocation involved more people. Namely, the new faculty. We assembled at the alternate location (because of rain, an auditorium replaced Old West) in our academic regalia. I'll admit to feeling a bit on the outs, wearing only my masters' robes — which are not nearly as fancy as the doctoral robes — though I wasn't the only one. We sat on the stage, stood at the appropriate time, and listened to a series of speeches about Dickinson & what a liberal arts education should be. The college president is clearly a charismatic, insightful, and introspective character (his speech on how education is "broken" was quite a departure from the "rah! rah!" speeches one normally hears).

Overall, I'm pleased w/ my introduction to a small, East Coast, private liberal arts college. I would've never thought of going to one as a kid (mostly, because the idea of it as a possibility for "someone like me" never crossed my mind), but I can see that the learning community here is certainly different. It's going to be an adjustment, that's for sure.

But the faculty are nice, even informal. It's such a small group, that I already know the Dean & Provost (who are one and the same person) on a first name basis. It's also nice to know the Vice President of Academics is a Deadwood fan. There have been welcome back picnics & other social events. I especially appreciate them for K8's sake, since she's quickly meeting new people in the quaint little town that is Carlisle (pronounced Car-LYLE), which is a sharp contrast to metropolitan Chicago.

Once the weather's nicer (it's been drizzly all day), I'll walk around campus & take some pictures. But trust me when I say that it's lovely. And have I mentioned that I have an office w/ a view?

Well, tonight there's a faculty pick-up soccer game. I even bought new cleats (having lost mine somewhere along they way). That should be fun.

Posted by Miguel at 04:23 PM

Comments

Posted by: Ani at August 28, 2006 06:14 PM

Posted by: sam at August 28, 2006 09:45 PM

Posted by: Nenad at August 29, 2006 07:21 AM

Posted by: Patrick at August 29, 2006 09:10 AM

Posted by: David C. at August 29, 2006 10:50 AM

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