Kryptonite

I once taught a section of Critical Thinking Seminar for first-year students. For a few years, I included a unit on superheroes. I thought this might be a way to engage more students, particularly young men, who were following the new (at the time) movies that featured Marvel and DC Comics characters. We read essays … Continue reading Kryptonite →

Affirmations

The only time I missed a performance in college was when I contracted mononucleosis. My spleen was the size of a football and because of the risk of a rupture, I was confined to the infirmary for a week. I brought all my textbooks and a Bible. I thought the time alone might provide an … Continue reading Affirmations →

Small World

Apologies to anyone who immediately thought of the song. This meditation isn’t about the Disney ride or buying the world a Coke. It’s not about randomly encountering an old friend at an airport or in a big city either, as exhilarating as that might be. It’s not even about spending time with children, who often … Continue reading Small World →

Harpies

The controversy over the opening festivities at the 2024 Summer Olympics, in particular “The Last Supper,” has caused me to reflect on what we are becoming as a society, and especially what some of those who call themselves Christians might have become. Others have presented a rebuttal to the notion that the tableau was “offensive” … Continue reading Harpies →

A Remembrance

Recently, an old friend died. For my first fifteen years, he led our department as chair and dean. Dale Bengtson was a wise man, offering good advice and a listening ear. He valued collegiality, the idea that the music faculty ought to work as a team. He once asked, “Would all those who work with … Continue reading A Remembrance →

The End of the Line

I carry a hazy childhood memory of waving goodbye to my father at an airport. As a salesman, he often left home – and returned a week or so later. I got used to daddy leaving and always coming back. At the time, I had no idea that some kids had fathers who left and … Continue reading The End of the Line →

On Our Sleeves

I wrote this piece in 2012. It was my tribute to Coach John Czap and became a part of my book, “On the Shoulders of My Teachers.” “I admit High School P.E. was not my favorite class. It always seemed to me the jocks got the easy A's and the rest of us might get … Continue reading On Our Sleeves →

Realizations

Realizations often come when we least expect them. Recently, in the middle of a rehearsal, I had a realization. As the choir was singing about peace, the question, “What’s the point of religion?” popped into my mind. I suppose many people practice a religion to find God, to know and love God, to discover what … Continue reading Realizations →

Easter Thoughts

I’ve heard people described as “products” of some school or program, as if graduates are manufactured on an assembly line, uniform in appearance and quality. I recall a faculty meeting years ago when we were discussing how to make sure our students received a consistent educational experience. I commented that I believed uniformity was “neither … Continue reading Easter Thoughts →

Civility

30 years ago, we took a trip to Scotland. One of the beautiful things about Scotland, apart from the scenery, was the civility of the drivers there. For example, on the Isle of Skye, there are many “single-track” roads, with turnouts placed at intervals so drivers can let each other pass. I quickly learned whoever … Continue reading Civility →