You Take the High Road, I’ll Take the Low Road: A Satisfying Career at a Small State University

Abstract

For the past 13 years my responsibilities, in addition to teaching and working with students on research projects, included serving as chair of the 17-member department at Emporia State University (ESU). Located midway between Wichita, Kansas, and Kansas City, ESU is a regional state university having an enrollment of approximately 6,000. He was not an especially diligent student during my high school career. The author dreamed of attending college at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas. Completion of his BAdegree brought a new challenge: graduate school. His recent academic successes at SMU prompted him to remain there for the MA degree, a wise decision, indeed. In addition to perpetuating and enhancing his love of teaching, the King College years spawned other activities that would become integral components of my professional life. Usually, he spends 3 or more hours working at home before going to the office.