beautiful lawrence
Music: Marconi Union: A Lost Connection (2008)
I have returned from a lovely visit with the good peeps at the University of Kansas. I stepped off the plane to 65 degrees and blue skies with little fluffy clouds; Greta greeted me with her charming wit and beautiful smile, and we headed off to meet up with Jay and Suzy for dinner and bourbon at the Free State Brewery downtown. The fun never ended, really, and the conversations were always enlightening and engaging. Ok, so, maybe not so much when Jay and I watched Larry the Cable Guy get "roasted" last night on television, but in general, talk was good.
I was especially impressed with the feeling of the program, the smart kindness of the students, and the general sense of excitement that seemed to permeate the Department of Communication Studies (their debate team, doncha know, won the NDT this past year). Truth be told, I had always wanted to visit Kansas because I had heard so much about it from Karlyn Campbell, who taught there for twelve years and spoke fondly of the place and program. I was saddened to learn Wil Linkugel is ill, as I've heard the most charming stories about him and hoped to meet him.
To my delight, however, I did get to meet Donn Parson, whose famous recipe I have eaten many times at my advisor's home. I've heard lots of good stories about Donn, whom R.L. Scott is quite fond of. In fact, I learned just before I arrived at Kansas that Donn was Scott's first advisee. I am Scott's 61st. So, the first and last met. I thought for sure R.L. would feel his entire being shaken to the core and call from the psychic jolt. Alas, he's not even responded to my email detailing such a fated encounter. Anyhoo, I had the most delightful lunch with the Golden Goofers at Kansas---Donn and Kris Bruss---and the meeting felt a little like a homecoming reunion. In fact, there were so many folks in their program from Minnesota I daresay Kansas' and Minnesota's programs are connected by an invisible power or something. I met not one but three grads from Minnesota as well. Huh.
I got to spend the most time with Jay Childers, my host and buddy for many years now, and Dave Tell, whom I met for the first time at the public address conference and who I am quite fond of these days. We had a delightful parting dinner at Dave and Hannah's home, where I was introduced to their beautiful, precocious and chatty children whom I quite enjoyed (kids love me, what can I say?).
When I started down the academic path, I envisioned a leisurely life of contemplation, of pontificating and inspiring young people to change the world for the better. Of course, there is latter is possible in small dribs and drabs, but the life of leisure is a complete sham. In this gig we work almost constantly. What I didn't know, however, was the perk of meeting new people and making new friends and deep relationships over ideas. Jay, Dave and I talked a lot about all sorts of intellectual things, what it is to be a scholar, the pursuit of happiness in the life of the mind, and all sorts of relevant stuffs that was both rewarding and intimate. I simply had a marvelous time, enjoyed the exchanges (and the bourbon). I was thrilled to meet my blog-buddy Greta, as well her equally brilliant colleagues. Now, some of them had never heard the Cure, which was quite a shock, but in general those Jayhawk commies rocked.
Well, as I was saying: I didn't think about the traveling part of the academic gig. It's really rewarding. I only wish I had a professorship or something to bring in the people who brought me in---to give them back, UT-style, what they've given me. Gimme some time, Jay and Dave: I'll figure out how to get you here eventually! A grant? David Beard: you have any tips here?
A gallery of my visiting to Jayhawkland is here. I hope to get back again, sooner rather than later. I had no idea Lawrence was so beautiful and hilly!