Found a letter in my campus mailbox this morning, informing me that the Mondoville Board of Trustees has approved my promotion from Associate to full Professor of English, effective with the coming Fall semester.
As I told the kids in my Seven Deadlies class this morning, since I have no intention of moving into any sort of administrative role in the remainder of my career, this means that I’m at my ceiling — and that I’ve got nothing to lose for the next twenty-odd years! BWAHAHAHAHAAAAA! Coming soon — Pants-free Tuesdays! (I kid — I like my kids too much to scar them like that.)
But one thing I am thinking about this morning was the day Mrs. M, the 15-month-old Spawn, and I moved into married housing at Ball State U in 1998. I had walked away from a six-year career in journalism to chase the Ph.D., and the dream of being Mr. Chips somewhere eventually. The girls were in the apartment, and my dad was standing next to me in the parking lot. “You know,” he said, “This is a pretty gutsy move you’re pulling here.”
“Thanks,” I said. “We’ll see if it pays off.”
I guess it did. I hope Mom and Dad are aware of it.
Professor Mondo 
Congratulations! You’re now an institution unto yourself.
I’m certainly large enough to be. Thanks!
It wasn’t that long ago I got that same notification, and there’s no feeling like it I’ve ever experienced. To me, the notification I’d made full professor was liberating.
If anyone ever deserved this promotion, it’s you – not only a friend to me all these years, but an exemplar of how to do this job, and someone who inspires me to do my job that much better (and inspires me to have fun with it, too). Congratulations, and enjoy this achievement.
Thanks, kiddo. I just plan to keep teaching like I’ve got nothing to lose — because now it’s true!
Congrats! A job well done.
Thanks, Jeff.
Well done, my friend – congratulations!
Thanks, Mike. Maybe I’ll get a chance to come your way for Spring Break in a few weeks!
Congratulations!
Thanks so much!
Hard to top the previous respondents: CONGRATULATIONS, profmondo! May you enjoy your “feeling full” throughout the remainder of your career. Just don’t let your “feelings” get to your head.
Thanks, and the pride thing is not a problem. I think I’ve told this story before, but hey…
The Spawn was 5 when I defended my dissertation. The next day, she said something to me, and I jokingly said, “That’s Doctor Daddy to you.”
Without missing a beat, or even looking up from her toys, she said, “You’re not a real doctor; you’re a bookdoctor.”
It will be quite a few hours, perhaps days or even weeks before I cease to find mirth rising up and issuing forth in a quiet chuckle and sometimes not so quiet guffaw at this story.
As I’ve said, the girls keep me in line.
Why does this sound like the punch line of a joke? If she was that sharp at 5 it’s frightening to think what she’ll be like at 20.
And that was before she started building Demon Frogs…
Sent from my iPhone. Please excuse any typos.
Congrats, Professor! Now that you have more flexibility, have you considered adding “Horrible Histories” patter songs when appropriate?
Thanks… and not a bad idea!
Woohoo! Many congratulations!
And many thanks!
Congrats!
Thanks much!
Wonderful news — and richly deserved. Congratulations.
Thanks, bud — by the way, I don’t know if anyone videoed our performance of “Open Up Your Door” on Saturday, but I thought of you when we added it to the set.
That’s funny, because I did go look for it on the Berries site.
So many iPhones, so little due diligence.
“O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!” Merit recognised; well done.
Thanks so much!
Belated congratulations, o Book Doctor!
Thanks!
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