From the Desk of the Provost

Those who know me know that I think it’s important to inject a little humor and joy in our daily work in academia. So I was absolutely delighted to read this essay written by one of our own, Heather Trepal, for the Chronicle of Higher Education, in which she shares her story of interviewing for her position in the Department of Counseling back in 2004.

Heather Trepal

I do not wish to spoil the story, but I will add some details: Larry Golden, who recently lost a battle with cancer, was the unsuspecting department chair Heather mentions in her tale. And Marcheta Evans played the role of the very supportive search committee chair.

It’s important to note the story’s happy ending. Heather did get the job, and she and her husband, Todd Wollenzier (assistant director of the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards) have made a home at UTSA. And she did earn tenure and was promoted to associate professor in 2009.

Here’s another very happy milestone in Dr. Trepal’s career: Earlier this month, she hooded her first three doctoral candidates at the COEHD commencement ceremony. One has already accepted a position at Marymount University in Arlington, Va.

No doubt these three new Ph.D.s learned a great deal from their advisor, but I think the examples of humility, humor and humanity in Heather’s story are good lessons for all of us.