Today is the two year anniversary of the day on which I won my tenure appeal at Baylor University. In my forthcoming book, Return to Rome: Confessions of An Evangelical Catholic, I briefly touch on my tenure case and how I look at it in hindsight. Here is a brief excerpt from that portion of the book:
On September 22, 2006, Baylor University reversed its decision and awarded me tenure. And only 16 months after winning my appeal (in April 2008), I was promoted to full professor. In the academic world, such a story is as unlikely as they come. For this reason, I am in awe of, and humbled by, the gentle and unpredictable hand of providence that has taken my wife and me by its grace through one improbable scenario after another. Any success that I may have appeared to earn, hangs by a thin string dangling from an intricate tapestry over a fiery abyss, whose Creator is “the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2 KJV).
And the fact that I now find myself on the faculty of the University of Notre Dame as a senior visiting fellow for the 2008-09 school year is beyond my wildest dreams. Soli Deo Gloria.
Comments (5)
A great anniversary to remember. If you don't mind sparing some prayers for those of us on the other side (just started as an assistant prof this fall), I'd appreciate it.
Posted by brandon field | September 22, 2008 2:22 PM
Well, make sure you attend a few football and basketball games.
Posted by Dan | September 23, 2008 2:09 AM
Congrats!!!!
Posted by Irenaeus | September 23, 2008 11:49 AM
Gosh, you win your appeal and less than two years later you're already at another college. No wonder they shot you down the first time . . . :)
Posted by Steve | September 24, 2008 7:50 AM
I am in the midst of a tenure appeal and could use some advice. If you are willing, please contact me. Thank you. Sincerely, Phoebe Lostroh
Posted by Phoebe Lostroh | December 30, 2008 11:09 PM