Carrel 3, Carswell: My New Office

Yesterday, I picked up my student ID and the key to my office in Carswell Hall. Some might say that I'm really going places - that I'm really moving up in the world. Others (who are visual learners and scrolled down to the photos before reading) would disagree. I am the proud inhabitant of carrel three of the second floor of Carswell. Yes, my "office" is a mere carrel, but I'm pretty gosh darn proud of it. The door locks, there's a light bulb in one of the three  sockets, it looks dusty but it's not, and it's all mine.

My carrel isn't the only highlight of the last two days; and, no, I'm not being facetious. I was most delighted to learn about the TLC, Teaching and Learning Center, at Wake. Now, the TLC is oft-confused with the Learning Assistance Center, however, my friends, they are not the same center. The Learning Assistance Center is for students and the TLC is for faculty and TAs! It's a resource for us, so we can be the best teachers we can be. They offer regular workshops. OUTSTANDING! When Wake says they're a teaching-centered institution, they mean it! Little known fact: nationally, WFU is ranked 12th overall in terms of Best Undergraduate Teaching (according to our dear friends at U.S. News & World Report, America's Best Colleges).

Oh, did I mention what greeted me at TA orientation yesterday? A cooler emblazoned with the Mountain Dew logo (and full of Mt. Dew and other Pepsi products, as logic would have it). GREAT way to start orientation. And the day ended with an ice cream social. Pssshhhh. Awesome. I mean, Dew and ice cream socials pale in comparison to the teaching-centered mission of the school, but they're up there!

Today, I met more fellow commies (that's what the department named their intramural softball team last year, as I learned today).  I'm sure I'll describe my compatriots in more depth in future posts. The department wants to start a group run, group walk, intramural teams, and we ended tonight at Dr. Giles' house (on Faculty Drive, so YES, there are faculty who live on Faculty Drive!). Tomorrow, a few of us are going hiking at Pilot Mountain. Tomorrow night, we're catching a Dash game.

As Dave Matthews would say, "So much to say, so much to say, so much to say, so much to say." Expect more posts as orientation continues and classes commence. For now, here's a look at part of Carswell Hall. That lower level is where my "office" is located (see the open door on the right? that's me!). While my carrel doesn't look like much on its own, I hope you agree that the overall ambiance is very nice.

Peace, love, and my new office--

Emily