|
Three professors prepare for Hillsdale
departure
By Nicole Stanley
Collegian Reporter
As many seniors plan
their futures beyond the classroom walls of Hillsdale College,
so too are several professors.
James Taylor, associate professor of education,
Justin Stephens, visiting professor of history, and Bill Scalia,
visiting professor of English, will be leaving the college after
this semester.
Stephens will have completed his one-year
contract at the end of this semester, but he will continue to
teach, having been awarded a tenure-track position at the State
University of West Georgia.
Stephens was also offered a tenure-track position
at Hillsdale but chose to move to Georgia because the position
is more research-oriented.
"It's been a great year, I've really
enjoyed the classes, the students and my colleagues," he
said. "The decision to move was very difficult."
Taylor's one-year contract also expires at
the end of this semester, and he plans to continue his teaching
career. After teaching summer classes at Hillsdale, Taylor will
move to the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma.
He said he enjoyed teaching at Hillsdale more
than any other institution, but his position in Tulsa will allow
him to be closer to family and friends in the area and give
him more time for personal writing and publication.
Scalia came to Hillsdale two years ago to
fill the spot of Chris Busch, who will be returning from his
sabbatical in the fall. Although the English department was
looking for a British literature professor, Scalia didn't apply
because he said he felt unqualified for the position.
"After I get my final grades in, this
will be the first time in my life since I was 15 that I didn't
have a job," Scalia said. "But I will do something,
I may have to go from Professor Scalia to 'Hey you, put this
on the truck,' but as long as I am able, I'll be doing something."
Having mailed 50 applications to various employers
in the area, Scalia said that if nothing comes from his job
pursuit, he might use this time to improve his teaching skills
or publish some of his own work.
Production manager and lighting director for
the Sage Center for the Arts, Kelly Behrens, will also be moving
on next semester to pursue her graduate degree in lighting design
at Purdue University in Indiana.
|
