Tracy Revels

One Of My Least Favorite Things

One part of my job that I don't like is grading tests.  That confession might surprise students, who tend to think that we take some kind of sadistic satisfaction over marking through errors and writing "need more information here" on essays.  I won't deny that the occasional student blooper ('the pheasants were revolting') does raise a chuckle, but for the most part grading exams is an exercise in frustration and self-doubt.  Nobody expects all students to make A's, but we do hope that students learn things and can demonstrate that learning in ways we can measure.  When a significant number of students don't do as well as expected, one wonders about one's effectiveness as a teacher.

I've been keeping a separate blog for my classes, posting information, study terms, questions, and reading assignments on almost a daily basis.  It doesn't look like---based on the exams---that everyone in the class has been visiting this 'virtual history lab.'   I hope when the tests are returned on Friday, traffic over there will pick up.

And I'll confess that marking tests is enough to make my already addled brain even more confused.  Yesterday, while grading, I came across a test sheet where the student had abbreviated all his/her answers---for example 'dep st' instead of 'dependent states' or 'Nap' instead of 'Napoleon'.  Highly annoyed, I took off points and wrote this lazybones a stinging note.  Then I flipped it over to see the name of the culprit.

That's when I realized that I had just graded my test key!

Benches, Turtles, and Bridges

Every now and then I spend the lunch hour out on the benches between Old Main and Daniel Building, hanging out with a special group of Wofford faculty members.  Most but not all of them are from the biological sciences.  You can always be sure to find Drs. Abercrombie, Moeller, Kusher, Davis, and Rayner outside, enjoying a beautiful afternoon.  I've learned a lot of things from listening to this assembly's discussions---for example, vampire bats do not drop from the sky onto their victims.  Such interesting facts pale, however, next to the raucous humor and the vibrant political debate that this group of scientific types (with an art historian, a government professor, and the occasional sociologist thrown in for good measure) is known for.

The other thing that I've observed is just how lucky those scientists are because they all share common interests and so often work together.  They are intrigued by each other's research and ongoing experiments.  It may be one advantage that the nature of their discipline gives them, this need to share notes, strategies, and skills, to compare results and swap stories.  And they genuinely like each other, which is not something that colleagues at all schools can say.  I'm pretty sure that we in the Humanities get along just fine, but it's not as common to work together.  We tend to be more specialized, to work alone, and to not do a whole lot of sharing until the project is complete.

I think one of the best things that Wofford has done over the years is to help break down those artificial walls between disciplines and even between colleagues within the same discipline.  The faculty lecture series, the invitations to hear other department's guest speakers, and especially the Community of Scholars has encouraged bridge-building and more understanding about what it is that each of us actually does, as teachers, researchers, artists, and writers.

But I'm still just a little jealous of the scientists, because going out to Glendale with some Wofford pals and catching turtles sounds (at least on a pretty day!) like a lot more fun than digging around in an archives.

The First Day Of Autumn

Yet again, a season is changing here in Spartanburg, even if it doesn't really feel all that different.  It's warm here, with a beautiful blue sky.  The passing into the home stretch of the year finds me thinking and feeling many things.  For example:

*I'm so proud of the Terriers, who stood up to USC on Saturday.  Maybe the guys didn't win, but they sure earned a lot of respect.

*Why is it that the day I have the really neat set of slides will be the day the computer in the theater decides not to work?  That must be a rule of some sort.

*I worry about my classes.  Are they keeping up with the blogs I set up just for them?  Or are they thinking 'it's not big deal, I'll just study the night before the test.'  I just hate for young people to have to learn everything the hard way!

*I wonder when that book order I placed with amazon is going to get here!

*I hope the SACS report I turned in was OK.

*I'm happy that a lot of people enjoyed the Civil war Roundtable talk last week and I'm looking forward to giving it again to other groups over the next few months.

*I'm thrilled to see that I'm quoted on the back of a new book, and that I share the honor with my very best friend from the FSU history department!  This is surely some kind of a sign that we should do a book together, something we've talked about for years.

*I wonder why I'm sniffling right now.  Maybe it's just an allergy.

*I suspect these letters of recommendation will not magically write themselves!  I guess I'd better quit blogging and get busy!

New Bikes

A new fleet of Wofford bikes was launched today.  These look to be much newer, speedier, and easier to pedal than the last set!  I was happy to see that there were even some actual girls' bikes and some with very high handlebars.  No training wheels, though!

I can't wait to try one of the new bikes out.  I will, however, wait until I'm not in a dress and high heels to do it. 

A Big Thanks To The Family Behind The Scenes

One of the best things about being at Wofford is that we get to know the people who keep Wofford running.  Wofford could probably survive if all its faculty came down with the flu at once, but I don't think it would last very long without all the groundskeepers, maintenance staff, and housekeeping staff.  These are the people we see every day, the people whose hard work makes the campus sparkle.  Without fail, every time I go on another campus, I may admire its buildings or its artwork, but I'm never as impressed with its maintenance as I am with Wofford's.  And I appreciate that the work of keeping this well-over-a -century-old school looking good is something that we don't give our staff enough credit for.

I have to single out someone for special thanks, and that's Mr. Grice, the Office Manager of our Physical Plant.  The other morning I had a suspiciously low tire on my car.  As I was parked in the Memorial Lot, I figured I should go to Maintenance for help, since they were close by in the Black Science Annex.  Mr. Grice promptly dispatched two of his gentlemen who put air in the tire and made sure that I could make my meeting on time.  Now, I realize that it's not technically the job of the Physical Plant to make sure that the wheels of my car go round and round, but that's the thing about Wofford----those two men willingly shortened their break time to come help me.

I meet so many people who say how jealous they are of Wofford faculty.  I know in part it's because of the college's academic reputation and the quality of our students.  But I also know that they are probably jealous of the way Wofford people help Wofford people.  I know it sounds a bit cliche, but there is a Wofford family, and the family members who don't always get a lot of press are among the kindest and dearest of that family.  No wonder so many people want to be adopted.

Thinking About January In September

This has been a very busy week for everyone planning to travel in January.  Travel interim interest meetings were held yesterday, and for several days students have been coming by requesting recommendations and character references, so that they can be considered for very selective trips.  Also, applications for travel grants are due tomorrow!  Everyone seems caught up in the speculation about what it would be like to see the Lake District of England or suba dive around the islands of the Caribbean.

I've never taken a travel interim because I've always been afraid I'd lose my students.  The first interim I did, I managed to misplace a few in Columbia.  If I can plant them in the state capital, where might I leave them in Europe?

Oh well, maybe one of these days I'll get over my fears and see if anyone is interested in following the footsteps of Sherlock Holmes.

Ms. Rita--A Wofford Essential!

One of George Washington's biographers referred to him as "the indispensable man," claiming that America could never have been founded without him.

Most of us at Wofford would never be able to get to class---or stay awake during class---without some help from our own "indispensable woman," Ms. Rita Rillman, the supervisor of the Acorn Cafe.  She's there every morning to pour coffee, mix fancy lattes, and doll out the advice and cheer.  She reminds us that all days (even rainy ones) can be good days, and makes sure we leave the cafe with a big smiles.  The students are always eager to talk to her, for she never fails to ask them about their classes and their activities.  She listens sympathetically to everyone's woes and cheers for all accomplishments.  Plus she never forgets to put that all-important punch on your card so that you can earn a free coffee!

Over the years Ms. Rita's gotten to know everyone's favorite poison.  She knows who drinks tea and who prefers decaf.  I adore how she always makes sure that my blend (hazelnut cream) gets on the menu at least twice a week.

Many colleges have increased their 'coolness quotient' by installing coffee nooks on campus, and we all know that caffeine is essential to learning.  But Wofford has cornered the market on having a great supervisor who loves students, faculty, and staff members alike and treats us all as one big family.

A Bit Nervous For A Good Cause

I'm speaking tonight to the Foothills Civil War Roundtable, which meets monthly at Wofford. Made up largely of alumni and friends of the college, this organization promotes the study of that conflict known by so many names, including "The War Between The States," the "War of the Rebellion" and "The Brothers' War," not to mention the "Yankee Invasion." The Roundtable has a diverse membership; arriving for the social hour one will soon be chatting with doctors, lawyers, teachers, librarians, business executives, and a host of others who share a common love of the past. Many were history majors in college, but others came to their love of the past long after their own schooling was complete. Collectively, they stand as an example of something we hope to develop in our students, a lifelong commitment to learning new things.

I confess that I'm a bit nervous. It doesn't matter that I've lived with my topic (Florida women during the Civil War) for almost twenty years now, I still get the butterflies in the stomach and the rapid heartbeat. Unfortunately, because of those nerves I have never been able to eat before I give a talk, which is a real shame considering the quality of our dining hall food! Maybe I can imitate the ladies of Florida who packaged up all those smoked hams and baked chickens and sent them to the front lines, and take a Civil War to-go box home!

Every Robe Has A Story

Several of my students commented today about our faculty regalia.  I'm sure that for many of our students, yesterday was their first exposure to the faculty in caps, gowns, and hoods.  I've grown so accustomed to seeing everyone in regalia that I have to remind myself how strange it must seem to first year students to see us parading around in quasi-medieval costumes. 

I would be willing to bet that every Wofford professor has a story about his or her 'outfit.'  Sometimes it has to do with who purchased the robe: maybe a proud parent or a doting spouse.  Sometimes it relates to when the regalia arrived, whether in the nick of time for graduation or a day too late.  If you look closely at the robes of Wofford's faculty members, you see not only a lot of variety in color and styles, but signs of wear and tear, and lots of fading.  I've always thought a student with a talent for deduction could figure out the relative position of the window to the coat rack in certain offices, based on the streaks of dull cloth along a teacher's sleeves.  Missing buttons, broken bars, patches of velvet worn shiny: all are the products of faculty life at a school where the regalia tradition lives.

I'm convinced my robe gets longer every year.  (Could I be getting shorter?)  It seems closer to the ground and harder to walk in all the time.  As I climbed the stairs of Old Main yesterday, I felt a bit proud that I could somehow hold up my 'train,' balance my mortarboard (which is much too big for me) on my head, manage not to be strangled by my hood, and keep my shoes on my feet, all at the same time.  Really, the things they teach you in 'professor school' are just amazing.

A Moving Event

Opening convocations at Wofford are always good; today's was great.

Wofford honored Mr. Vernon Baker with the Sandor Teszler Award for Moral Courage and Service to Humankind.  The award is named for the late Sandor Teszler, a man who 'never stopped learning' and always led by example.  A victim of Nazi oppression, he later defied segregationists to become one of the first industrialists to open better work opportunities in textile mills to African-Americans.  In his old age, he took numerous classes at Wofford, where the students adopted him and called him "Opi"---Hungarian for grandfather.  I have fond memories of Mr. Teszler; the first year I was here, he often mistook me for a student (how I wish that would happen again!) and always patted me on the cheek whenever we passed each other in the halls of Daniel Building.

Mr. Baker is also a man of great courage and a wonderful example of leadership.  In his case, it was military leadership, as he rallied his fellow soldiers of the 92nd Infantry Division during horrific battles in the Italian campaign of World War II.  Despite enduring years of abuse and discrimination, Mr. Baker's love of country never faltered, nor did his love of humanity.  After retiring from the Army, he spent twenty years working for the Red Cross.  He has been the recipient of a number of awards and medals, including the Medal of Honor.

We are accustomed to seeing people of great achievement take the stage at Wofford.  We have met a president and political candidates, writers, actors, musicians, and humanitarians.  We have heard many speeches, long orations filled with advice.  But with just a few simple, humble words, Mr. Baker today reaffirmed his belief in his country, and in the people who are its future.  Many of us were moved, some almost to tears, as much by the gentleman's earnest simplicity and faith in the future as by his myriad accomplishments.

We have so many special events at Wofford that they often run together.  We have an abundance of riches here, and sometimes maybe we get dulled to how meaningful each event is.  But I think that we will remember this convocation, and want to live up to what Mr. Baker saw in us, for a very long time.