Interstitiality

I'm here

In response to some of the transitions going on at Seabury, and the anxious thoughts that have surfaced, I would like to say clearly, “I have no plans to leave the seminary.” Sure signs that this is the case:

1) My kids love living in Evanston. Even if I were extremely unhappy, which I am not, I would likely stay to provide my children with a little stability in their lives. They lived in graduate student housing for seven years. They deserve to put down roots a bit.

2) My spouse also enjoys living in Evanston, and a happy Michelle greatly increases my happiness.

3) I love teaching here. I know that it has not been a great environment for all students and faculty, and I don’t want to minimize the pain that some have experienced within these walls, but I feel like I get the students here and I feel like they get me.

4) Professionally it makes sense for me to stay, get promoted, receive tenure, etc., before I “move up” the food chain (provided I even want to “move up”). The short-term plan, even if there was such a thing for me, would certainly include staying for at least another 5-10 years.

5) In case you haven't noticed our house shows many signs of the Yamada clan digging in deep: a satellite dish, a garden, a big BBQ, multiple air conditioners, etc. I doubt seriously whether we would even want to move from our house, forget about leaving Evanston.

6) I finally have enough softball contacts in the area so that I actually have to turn teams down. This is more important than you might guess.

Nope, sorry Seabury, you are stuck with me for a while.

Legal clause: the foregoing comments will become null and void should I a) win the lottery, b) receive a six-figure offer from Princeton Theological Seminary (one of the only seminary’s I know who might be able to offer their professors such an amount), or c) be asked to be one of the core faculty at a progressively thinking seminary that is within 3 miles of an excellent point break.

Posted by Frank Yamada at May 6, 2004 06:32 PM