I shifted forward in my seat as the suited man with glasses and graying hair held firmly to the lectern with one hand and made large, emphatic gestures with the other. He quoted various statistics and used phrases like “cumulative GPA” and “geographic diversity” and “unparalleled work experience” to drive home a very specific point: we were special. Then he recounted a similar evening years earlier when he was seated like us and someone else was manning the podium. He talked about how many of the same people with him in that room years ago were still friends of his today. He told us to look around and see our future colleagues and friends. I did so, slowly scanning the room, justifiably skeptical that these people who I had never seen before would really be at the top of this mountain we were about to begin ascending. Regardless, he had made his second point: this was the beginning of something big.
Presently, some two or more weeks later, I’m not prepared to say I’ve made any lifelong friends yet, though there are some rather cool kids in class with me. I’ve even suggested we begin our very own club, aptly called “the cool kids.” But there are whispers and faint sounds of horror regarding a few professors. Though right now its only a trickle, the commiserating has begun and, since suffering always seems to unite people, we’re at least taking steps in the right direction. Now, don’t leave thinking I’m complaining. I’m not. My four professors are great and they make the classes very enjoyable. I’ve just been fortunate enough to meet several people who maybe went 3 for 4 or worse on their fantasy professor picks for the Fall 2010 season. Color me thankful.
Short of having you come to a class with me (which is not out of the question – HINT <cough, cough comevisitmecauseimisseveryoneofyou, cough>) the best way to get across a bit about each prof is to provide a wee bit of info on them or their work. So here we go:
1. J. Mitchell – Intro to Public Affairs. During our first class we had a good discussion about the differences between public institutions, non-profits, and government organizations – specifically the leadership structure, the roles they play, and what they can/cannot do. I particularly enjoyed our discussion on BIDs (business improvement districts) but couldn’t figure out why we hovered on it for so long. Now I know why. I suppose if I was going to teach a class I’d find a way to integrate stuff I love (such as Pixar movies, or running, or love of pizza) into the discussion. **Bonus points for Mitchell because he sounds a lot like Jimmy Stewart. I could listen to that all day.
2. F. Heiland – Research & Analysis (aka Statistics). Oh man, if there was a class I was going to fear it’d be this. Not because of the complexity but more because it just sounds so tedious. BUT, that’s cause I’d never had Heiland. He is a taaaaaaallll German man who gets quite excited about stats. Yeah, like this. But that’s good cause his enthusiasm keeps my attention. Now I just have to keep from getting a hurt neck watching him pace back and forth all class long.
3. T. Calabrese – Budgeting & Finance. Here’s another potentially terrible subject that’s made better because of the Prof. No, he’s not a hulk but he’s got a very cynical sense of humor. Like the Louis CK of the budgeting world. Wow, what a terrible comparison. Im sorry, I know I can do better, just not right now. Why don’t you take a listen to the Prof discussing New York state’s financial situation this past summer.
4. M. Stark – Public & Non Profit Management. You remember some details of your first day of kindergarten, right? Maybe someone you met or something you played with or maybe being surrounded by a bunch of fellow munchkins and one foul-breathed teacher you’d never met before? Those details stick with you. They’re imprinted on your brain. The first day in this class was like that, not because anyone needed a breathmint but because of how good the discussion was and how memorable one particular activity was. I don’t want to say too much cause it’s a spoiler if I go into detail. Suffice it to say that Stark did a very very good job of showing us just what any organization with a leadership structure should NOT do. Luckily she also gave us a few ideas about what they should do. I suppose the next 4 months will be spent unpacking that. Bonus points to her too for reminding me of a younger Rose from Lost.
And that was the first week of class. As for the rest of it, well, all’s well:
-received an update from the admissions advisor stating that, given my work experience, I would be exempt from the program’s required internship (and the lengthy paper that goes with it)
-have a bookshelf full of required reading that doesn’t look to bad at all. I may have even gone looking for some of these books on my own. This time they came to me.
-was informed by another advisor of my program’s attempts to get an international area of focus off the ground and given the name of the professor who’s spearheading the effort.
-was also told that same professor is in need of several student assistants!
-discovered the meatheads don’t hit the gym in force before 12pm.
-and though it has nothing to do with school per se, I discovered what is arguably the best oatmeal/raisin cookie ever, and its sold just across the street from my building at Birdbath Bakery. I can hop over, shell out my train fare, then huff it to school. Indeed God has shown me favor.
So the weekend is here and with it comes a dramatic drop in temperature (high 50’s tonight, anyone?), a concert by the ridiculously talented Will Duvall, strolling through unexplored areas of town, wondering about the color gray and what life must be like in a warmer west coast climate, becoming a New York Road Runner and racing through Central Park, wandering the main branch of the New York Public Library, working against my goal of saving money, and who knows what else. Enjoy your weekend. See you soon.
