Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Southern Virginia University

With any luck I'll be in Buena Vista, Virginia teaching this fall semester. Here's why:

Following a very specific prompting I received in Sunday School about a month ago, I sent a letter of inquiry to SVU asking about openings in their English department. They had no job offerings listed on their website, so I knew this was a long shot. Nevertheless, I followed that impression.

About two weeks later, an associate professor down there wrote back asking to meet and wondering when I might make it down to Virginia. It's a three-and-a-half-hour drive, but my parents live not too far from there.

So we made a vacation out of it. I scheduled an interview for the Friday before Memorial Day, reserved a campsite for that same night, and called my parents to say we wanted to visit.

Donning my best bright-orange tie (Heather recommends wearing orange to a job interview since it helps you stand out), we made good time with miraculously no traffic. The interview went really well. And I began to be excited about the university. Small class sizes. Small town feel. Breathtaking location. Beautiful old buildings. Dedicated LDS students. Great faculty who don't put on airs like some other schools.

We then went to Peaks of Otter. Having come straight from an interview, I set up the tent and bought firewood in my Sunday best. It rained most of the night but we still got a fire going and ate some tin foil burritos. Though we got a little wet, it was all worth it when the next morning we went on the most beautiful trail I've ever seen. The mist enhanced the beauty. I've been on hikes with more majestic views, but nothing like this:


We spent the rest of the weekend with my family, playing games and spending time at the lake.

When all was said and done, we drove home and waited. I started to wonder after I didn't hear from my contact for a week and a half. But last night he sent me an e-mail saying I had three courses if I still wanted them. We're still trying to make sure it would work. Heather needs to keep her job in some fashion. But provided that pans out, we may bid a fond farewell to D.C. and start a new chapter in our life.

9 comments:

  1. Congratulations, that's great! I visited SVU for a conference once and was just amazed at the beauty of the area. It would be a grand adventure for you guys.

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  2. That is so exciting! I wanted to go to SVU way back when I was still in high school. I hope that things will work out and the two of you are able to head in that direction! You will be great and they will be lucky to have you!

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  3. Exciting! I love your vagueness..."might, maybe, with any luck". I hope everything works out for you. Sounds like a great opportunity.

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  4. That's amazing Adam! I hope it all pans out!

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  5. **fingers crossed**
    It sounds perfect for you, Adam!

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  6. Fantastic! I hope Heather's work is agreeable. I know they love her and her work, so hopefully this will work out for everyone. I'm also glad you had a fun mini-vacation. See you next time around. Love, Mom and Dad

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  7. Adam, You do remember that's my school right?! Ah, that would be so very cool if you wound up teaching there! Who did you interview with? If it was Dransfield he is my most favorite person, my VA dad and I dated his son at one point haha. Let me know if I should nudge him in the right way. I want to hear more about this - If you get the job I can see you and Heather at homecoming!!

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  8. So what do you think of your comments now that you have decided to teach and stay where you are. Is that a firm decision? I hope all goes well. See you soon.

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