Yesterday I was at the local Sheetz and the person checking me out asked if I was ready for school to begin (I LOVE living in a small town!). My immediate response: I am ALWAYS ready fro the students to come back!!!
Don't get me wrong, I love my job and this summer I have worked on some really interesting projects. Yes, they aren't research (which would have been more fun) - this summer was spent on administrivia. I have worked with our administration on two REALLY important projects: I proposed the creation of the School of Engineering at Ship and worked with our facilities guys on a plan to renovate our old, unused (but very cool) steam plant to create an industrial/lab space for Mechanical and Civil Engineering.
My summer work was recognized yesterday when the university president announced the creation of the school and funding for the renovations!!! I was thrilled - this is a really big step for our engineering programs and I couldn't be prouder of the way I spent my summer.
While these things give me a sense of accomplishment, nothing compares to the return of the students in the Fall! After a summer of meetings and proposals, the joy of seeing the students is unmatched! Old students come back with tales from internships and travel, each having grown in some way. And freshman come in wide-eyed and enthusiastic if a little naive. And the campus comes back to life!!!!
I have colleagues who like the quiet of summer and who are renewed by the projects they work on in that quiet. I am renewed by the creation of new syllabi, planning for an upcoming semester's classes, the excitement in the faces of my students, and the noise they invariably bring.
I am always ready for the students to come back!!!
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