Here We Go

Today is Friday…

I must start by saying how excited I am to be posting on the UI&U website. Being a blogger in another forum, I am a big believer in sharing experiences and ideas freely. I felt that the concept of blogging was such a natural fit in expressing my experiences and transformation that are a direct result of my learning at UI&U. Many thanks go out to all those that have worked hard behind the scenes to make this a reality. In addition I must publicly thank Dr. Larry Preston and Dr. Robin Selzer for seeing the importance in this form of communication. We are pioneers in our journey, and I consider you esteemed colleagues and, most importantly, friends.

Now back to the business of writing….

Looking back at my short year and a half at Union, I have been faced with many challenges as a learner. Being a husband, father of two young girls, business owner, college professor, and part-time social entrepreneur, I have been challenged with fitting doctoral-level learning into my daily routine. Making adjustments to my daily life has been a challenge that has been self-rewarding by giving me the ability to work with the most talented people that I have ever come into contact with. I have grown in so many ways and come so far in such little time. Wow, we are almost halfway done already!

Over the course of the remainder of 2007, I have so much to discuss. I will be attending the International Leadership Conference in Vancouver, Canada next week with other UI&U faculty, administration, and learners. I just returned from a weekend of learning hosted by Rev. Rupert Loyd in Toledo, Ohio and have several other learning experiences that will be rounding out the year. The real excitement begins on January 4, 2008, as we begin our 4th residency in Downtown Cincinnati at the Garfield Suites.

I really look forward to the next year and a half of learning with my readers, fellow learners, and professors.

Let the fun continue…

-j-