Photo Credit: Courtesy of Jon McChesney
I received a very unexpected phone call to my home in North Carolina in June of 1999—the type of phone call you never want to receive. My brother-in-law—who I had known and cherished since a young boy—had died suddenly, leaving behind my sister and her two teen daughters. Nine months later, I received another call, this one informing me that my father was in the hospital and not doing very well. Two weeks later, he died. After the funeral, I returned to my job teaching at East Carolina University (ECU). Once again, approximately three weeks later, another phone call informing me that another family member had died.
Soon after my return to work from the third funeral, the chair of my department, Dr. Thom Skalko, came into my office, closed the door, and said, “We need to talk.” I don’t know about anyone else, but that statement is not in my top 10 favorites! Skalko, my mentor, said with tears in his eyes that there was a position open at my alma mater, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). He added that while they wanted me to stay at East Carolina University, he felt a “human” responsibility to inform me of this position.
The Best Career In The World
Now the real quandary began. I was in a faculty position at ECU that I loved and my spiritual life in North Carolina was strong given my role as recreation director at a local church. After much internal debate, I realized that this job opening presented a rare opportunity to lend support to my mom, sister, nieces and other family. Further, it allowed me to continue the legacy that my father established at EKU and within the department. You see, my father started the Department of Recreation and Park Administration back in 1966, serving as chair for 24 years. I practically grew up in the halls of the Begley Building, walking over every day from school until it was time to ride home with my dad. As I write this article, I’m sitting in the very office my father occupied for years—now that’s cool!