Instructor of History Chris Goedert had never done yoga before, and Assistant Professor of Psychology Marc Carter had never seen Signal Oak, let alone at sunrise.
But the faculty workshop on Aug. 16 saw to that.
Prepared annually by the Faculty Growth and Enrichment Committee, these pre-semester sessions energize faculty for the year and get them thinking about Baker University in a larger sense committee chair Kevin McCarthy said.
While the Aug. 15 workshop offered more traditional sessions about academic integrity, dealing with difficult classroom issues and copyright concerns, Aug. 16 was themed “And Now for Something Completely Different.”
Covering the development of faculty members’ bodies, spirits and minds, the day kicked off with an optional jog, yoga class or hike.
Goedert said he’d done long distance running and hiking before, so he wanted to try yoga for something different.
Faculty members could then go on tours of the Baker Wetlands, the Quayle Bible Collection or the campus art collection.
McCarthy went on his first trip to the wetlands, led by Biology Department Chair Cal Cink.
“At first you think it’s just mud and water, and then you get a sense for all the life that’s there … it’s amazing,” McCarthy said.
After their tours, faculty were given an hour to read anything of their choice. The day also offered forward-thinking discussions about Baker University’s energy efficiency and the future of higher education.
While McCarthy’s committee often assists faculty in their professional pursuits, like the travel-for-learning grant given to Professor of French Erin Joyce this summer, its purpose is to encourage both “personal and professional development and renewal.”
Rob Flaherty, acting associate dean for faculty and administration services, said the administration supports these pursuits.
“It’s all about different ways to support faculty, whether it’s in their teaching, scholarship, personal development or academic programs,” he said.
As a new faculty member, Goedert said he enjoyed the workshops.
“It’s been good about being introduced to faculty in a laid-back manner,” he said. “It was a good way to meet smaller groups of faculty, instead of everybody at once.”