college Archives – James D. Hogan

What’s up, Doc?

On January 31, 2024

FAITH

In which the Apostle Paul takes a baseball bat to the knees of the wise…

This week, I defended my dissertation before a committee of four professors and administrators. In the course of a short hour and a half, I presented them with the problem my research addressed, the research questions I established, a review of the literature I researched about the problem, the methods I used to conduct my own research, my findings, and a summation of what those findings mean as answers to the questions I’d asked. It was the culmination of nearly four years of studying, taking courses, and working independently.

The process goes like this: we logged on (my committee met by zoom, because we were all geographically scattered), the committee quickly gathered independent of me to discuss my dissertation, I presented, and then the committee asked questions of my research. (This is the part where I “defended” my work.) Following that, the committee broke away again to discuss whether or not they felt my work met their expectations–and when they returned, they each had changed their zoom backgrounds to congratulate me. I had earned my doctorate.

It was quite a moment.

Cat Head

By James D. Hogan

On February 11, 2023

In writing

The joys and exhaustion of becoming a college mascot

Tuesday we hosted an event on campus to kick-off our month-long “I Love WCU” celebration. We set up a couple of tables at the university center, we hand out cookies, we generate good will. It’s a fun event, and the most worthwhile part is hearing from students about the things they love most about their alma mater.

The unexpectedly fun part, though, came after the fellow who normally plays Paws, the WCU mascot, called in sick. Rebekah, one of my colleagues, called to let me know. Back in November, Rebekah portrayed the mascot herself in a commercial we produced for Giving Tuesday, but she suggested this time I should don the suit instead. I was wary at first, and later I would find out why she was happy to pawn this off on me, but eventually I agreed. The athletics staff delivered the mascot costume, and I jumped in.

Well…jumped isn’t exactly the right word. You have to carefully strap into the get-up. It took probably ten or fifteen minutes to get it all assembled–not that it’s that difficult, but mostly that the more implements you put on, the fewer fine motor skills you have left. It’s a bit like a band uniform–overall bottoms, covered by a pull-over top (padded, muscular, not English-major-ish at all) that are directly connected to the cat’s hands. You strap on humorously large sandals that are its feet, and you pull on an oversized head connected to a football helmet. Once you’re in, you’re in. There’s no quick exit.

There’s an opening in the cat’s mouth about the size of an iPhone that lets you see out–but even that is covered by black, mesh fabric. The interior carries the lingering smell of a sweaty locker room. When fully assembled, the costume renders you into a human baked potato. I was sweating before I finished getting dressed.

A Double Exposure

By James D. Hogan

On March 29, 2022

In writing

Sometimes I wonder if I am the anachronism.

This weekend brought a short and windy return of winter bluster, capping off what had been a nice stretch of seasonally warm weather and visions of spring. Friday evening it was moderately cold, but the blasts of wind roaring over the eastern ridge made even reasonable temps in the 40s feel bone-chillingly cold. Each night over the weekend, we covered up our new ferns with bedsheets, our front porch looking more suitable for Halloween than spring.

We’ve just capped off an entire week of houseguests. Kel’s parents stayed with us for several days to celebrate Annie and Julia’s birthdays, and then my Mom came up Friday and stayed the weekend. It was our first opportunity to deploy the little guest apartment in the detached garage, and everything seemed to work brilliantly.

Our house in Statesville closed a week ago, and Kelly and I can both feel the difference. Although mildly surreal to now be wholly detached from what we both considered our hometown, it’s still a relief to have the stress of selling a house behind us, to not worry about keeping up with two mortgages, and to cash that check. We’ve got a few projects in mind here in Sylva.

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