The Smooth Elephant

I’m assembling information for the final version of the printed program for Faculty Academy 2006, and I’m astonished by the variety, energy, and creativity I see here. Just as I learn something most thoroughly when I teach it, I see the individual program events with new clarity and detail as I touch (well, copy-and-paste into Patrick’s excellent xml-generated framework) every one into the final documents. From astronomy to business administration to art history, this program is a veritable encyclopedia of professional and pedagogical development at our university. I confess that I’m humbled by it, and grateful to have colleagues like these.

I also want to recognize the true engines behind Faculty Academy 2006, the Instructional Technology Specialists in the Division of Teaching and Learning Technologies. Martha, Patrick, Jim, Andy, and Jerry have committed their talents and energies to some extremely productive and interesting partnerships with faculty at UMW, and it’s clear to me from their own reflections, as well as this program, that they’re already thinking about where to go from here. I am privileged to work with a great, great staff.

This year’s program, complete with session abstracts, is available on the Faculty Academy website. To get your spiffy printed version, with Martha’s great flyer on the cover, you’ll just have to attend the event. I hope to see you there.