March 28, 2006 issue
When I finished my Ph.D. at the University
of Massachusetts back in 1988, there were about two jobs in the country
in my specialty area of linguistic theory. One was at Eastern Michigan
University (being from the Northeast, I had never even
been to Michigan before) and, luckily for me, I got hired. I turned in
my dissertation on a Friday, drove out here in an old U-Haul, and taught
my first class on Monday. I've been here ever since and
wouldn't have it any other way.
The environment at EMU is great. It probably sounds corny, but
I really do enjoy coming to work every day and I honestly
can't imagine doing any other job. Working with ideas and
working with people; what could be better! It's all about
trying to figure out how the world works, not just by reading
what others have said, but by establishing answers on your
own. The one thing I hope never gets lost in education
is the sheer joy of asking a question that no one else has ever asked
before, and having the tools to try to answer it.
I have taught at a few other schools before, but I find the students
here to be the most fun and the most stimulating. Students
come from many different backgrounds and bring different
perspectives to a discussion. It
takes you out of your comfort zone and forces you to think
about things in a different way.
Being at EMU has given me a lot of opportunities for research projects.
A recent book (with Sam Epstein) on theoretical syntax
called "Derivations
in Minimalism" was just released by Cambridge. I'm at a fun point
where most of the projects I've worked on over the last
few years are done. Time now to find a set of new ones.
So, why do I work at EMU? First and foremost, the students. Thank
you! And, there's one other very important thing I'd like
to take this opportunity to say: Pat, Carol and Cindy
are the best, hardest working secretaries on campus. Thanks!
The English Department wouldn't run for a day without you!
