Hiking the Sedona desert

As much as I love Clarion (and that's a whole lot!), I have to admit it was difficult returning last night. We are on winter break this week; and I spent the last four days in the Sedona Desert just north of Phoenix, Arizona. All I can say is UNBELIEVABLE! Four days of 90+ temperatures, 0 humidity, high blue skies, and amazing terrain. Check out these pics for a taste (Yes - them thar' cactus are as big as they appear - in some cases up to 40 foot tall).

On my first day back to Clarion, it is snowing rather steadily with temps in the 20s. Oh well...

Actually, I'm happy to be home. The student will be returning over the weekend and classes will resume on Monday. Spring break is barely 3 weeks away, and when we return from that it will be the fun rush to the finish line with final exams in May.

To those students reading these posts, please be careful in your return to campus - hopefully you have re-charged those batteries and are ready to come down the stretch. And for those prospective students reading these posts, I hope your college hunt is going well - new student orientation begins at Clarion in a couple of weeks and runs throughout the early summer. Come say "hi" to me if you visit campus.

Two more weeks...

And you thought only students counted down the days to break? With each passing year, I find myself more and more anxious to hit winter break, which always occurs in early March (this year it's March 10-18). It's not that I don't enjoy what I do - but after lots of snow and cold weather, a break in the sun is sounding pretty good. I'll start heading west and see where my car takes me. I'm thinking Vegas... .

Classes are going well - both the ones I am teaching and the one I am taking. In particular, the Vietnam War class I teach is beginning to heat-up. We have troops on the ground, and I am preparing a mock draft to which I will subject the students immediately before break. The class has been an eye-opening experience for many of the students, and will be even more so after we get back from vacation. As for my ongoing experiences as a student, I have both a presentation and a quiz upcoming this week. Trust me - I beginning to remember what you students go through every week!! Hang in there!

Time flies...

Wow - has it really been that long since I last posted to my blog? I promise to be better about that. Needless to say, it's been a busy couple of weeks at Clarion - interrupted by a rather significant (I would say a FOOT is significant) snowfall that forced the cancellation of classes last Wednesday. That is the first time since I have been at Clarion (1998) that an entire day of classes were cancelled. We're the U.S. postal service of universities - "neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow... ."

We just had a President's Reception for High Achieving Students here last week. I always enjoy meeting prospective new students at those gatherings - perhaps I met some of you who are reading this blog? If so, hit me up with a reply. Ask me some questions about Clarion.

On a personal note, as a student at the university (yes, I'm back taking classes towards a BFA-Acting degree!), I just finished the audition & call-backs for the spring semester production "How I Learned to Drive." And, believe it or not, this novice acting student landed the interesting role of "Uncle Peck." Woo-hoo! Pretty exciting stuff. So, go see the musical "Cinderella" at the end of this month, and then get ready to see a very cool play in late April. I'll be posting a lot on my blog once we begin the long rehearsals.

So what exactly do we do here?

This past week has reminded me so much of what we do here at Clarion University (and you know what? we do it very well!). In fact, that is why I've been a bit tardy in posting to my blog for the past seven days - I guess I'm fairly involved on campus; so I see a lot of "stuff." Here's a rundown of the past week from my perspective. See anything you like?

Monday - Faculty Senate meeting included announcements re: the new state-of-the-art science building that will soon be under construction. Want to attend classes and labs in one of the most modern science facilities at any university in Pennsylvania? Come to Clarion!

Tuesday - "Black/White, the hit FX television series, visited campus, with two cast members speaking about their experiences on the show. Want to hear great speakers, meet television stars, attend poetry readings and musical performances? Come to Clarion!

Wednesday - Snow, and more snow (where did the sun go for the past month?). But outside my window on one side of Founders I see students cutting loose with snowballs and snow angels in front of the library. Going home, I see about fifty students riding make-shift sleds (i.e., cafeteria trays) down the hill by Still Hall. Want to have some winter fun til' all hours of the night? Come to Clarion!

Thursday - Met with the History Club and Phi Alpha Theta students (I advise both groups). We planned two movie nights, two guest speakers, a used book sale, the 5th annual university quiz bowl, a cook-out, attendance at an undergraduate history conference, and the all-important spring trip (Washington, D.C.? Gettysburg? we'll see...). Want to take part in fun extra-curricular activities? Come to...(ah, you get the picture).

Friday - The Academic Affairs division announced the awarding of over $24,000 in scholarships for Clarion undergrads to travel and study abroad. Our students will be going to Spain, France, England, Ecuador, and Costa Rica, among other locations. Want to go to fun places (and escape the snow listed above)? You know where to come.

Saturday - Are you kidding? I get at least one day off!

Sunday - Writing this post, which some of you will think of as simply a commercial for the university. However, I hope most of you see it for what it is - some great reasons why I wouldn't be anywhere else, teaching anyone else, than at Clarion.

(Stay tuned - next post to come - why I'm such a fan of Butters from South Park)

It is so quiet!

I'm sitting here in my office in Founders Hall on a snowy afternoon and am reminded of just how quiet it can be here on a Saturday afternoon. Classes have begun; but there are no assignments yet to grade. Homework and readings have been assigned; but nothing is yet due. I would normally be at home watching the Steelers in the playoffs; but...well... at least the Penguins have one more home match tonight before the NHL All-Star break. Most important, the Clarion University wrestling squad has a big EWL match-up versus West Virginia on Sunday. The men fought hard against nationally-ranked Edinboro last night. Don't let the score fool you. The dual on Sunday at 2 p.m. promises to be a good one - if you live nearby by, hop over to Tippin Gymnasium and say hello.

16 hours and counting

Hard to believe, isn't it? Only 16 hours from now another semester will be underway at Clarion University. Like many students, I'm already feeling a bit of the anxiety about starting a new term. It was the same in high school, college, and as a teacher. But it's that "good" anxiety feeling - anxious to meet new students and well as reacquaint myself with former ones; anxious to do what I truly love (teach and perform); anxious to see life on campus again. It can get pretty quiet around here during the holiday break, and having students return to campus brings back its vibrant nature. You simply cannot beat college life. I think that's why I chose to go to graduate school (undergraduate days were simply not enough), and why I love teaching at Clarion. It's the college lifestyle - whether you teach or learn, it's a lifestyle truly unto itself. So, as I begin my blogging journey, I hope some of you will respond to these posts and ask me questions about what I do and why I love it--especially why I love being at Clarion. To those coming back to college for another term, welcome back! To those of you returning to high school for your last semester, good luck--I hope to meet you soon!