From the Director’s Deck: Celebrating Number “50”
Although it is true that I had a birthday about a week ago (complete with my favorite pie, various wonderful gifts from my family, and an evening at the movies), I am glad to still be several years from #50. I did get a book chapter accepted last week (a fun collaboration with a faculty colleague and two doctoral students here), but I have not yet hit publication #50, either. I am still two states short of hitting all 50, hope to never find “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover,” and have never won $50 on a hand of blackjack.
So what am I celebrating? This is the 50th blog post from the Director’s Deck (strike up the band, cue the dancers, and eat some Halloween candy)! I’m not one for too much navel gazing, but I thought it worth taking this small milestone as an occasion to examine the blog and ask/answer a few questions about it.
WHAT: I sometimes do not know exactly what I want to write until I begin composing—but there is always an intended message by the time I finish. The exact topics of the blogs are relatively varied. Some are about people (award winners, recruits, doctoral student association, scholarly moms) and others about fun (parties, food, rituals, and holidays). Some address program challenges/opportunities related to travel, diversity, excellence, advising, reviews and interdisciplinarity; others look at broader doctoral studies issues related to freedoms, rhythms, renewal, choices, and balancing it all. Regardless of the specifics, I hope others read the posts and either learn something or are encouraged to reflect anew on a certain issue.
WHEN: I’ve been pretty faithful about posting these each Monday during the academic year. I think predictability, commitment, and regularity matter—in life generally and for something like a blog.
WHERE: Yes, there really is a “deck” right off my office, and no, I don’t usually actually blog from it. In the warmer months, it is a pleasant spot to read and relax; in the winter, you can sometimes see the Raritan River from the deck.
WHY: I’ve been asked, and not just in conversations with myself, why I write this blog. There are several reasons. Primarily, I want to use it as one of several ways to keep in touch with interested students (past, present, and future) and faculty about issues in the program. Second, as a researcher interested in tools like this (see my recent publication about blogging and anonymity), it seems to make sense. Third, I find it very therapeutic (and a form of writing that is sometimes difficult to do in more scholarly outlets).
WHO: You know who writes this. The real question is who is reading it. The IT expert who has those numbers was on vacation this past week, so I don’t have exact current stats. My guess is not that many people ever read any single blog, but I do know informally that at least a few people read it each week. Occasionally a colleague will mention something about what was posted. More often a current student might make reference to something in the blog. Surprising to me is the number of prospective students who will read the blog and then comment on why they like it. Perhaps this is nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt on their part to be nice to the director overseeing their admission—but I truly think it is more than that. From what others have said, I think they find the idea of a regular blog to by symbolic of an active program—and perhaps even the content has had some impact here and there (though the number of posted comments back has always been small).
So, blog post #50 is a time to not only celebrate but also reflect and assess. In lieu of a “Happy 50th” card, your comments would be great...WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THIS BLOG? HOW COULD THE NEXT 50 BE BETTER? AND MOST IMPORTANT, IS ANYONE EVEN READING THESE? Please reply with the comments feature below--you can include your name or leave it blank. Thanks for your thoughts.
The Director has (for the 50th time) left the Deck.
