It's Official!

Printing and Postage for 40+ Applications: $300

Travel, Lodging, and Food for Large National Convention: $1,000

Getting Great Jobs in the South: Priceless!

We'll it's official. After several months of applying, waiting, and traveling to a combined 5 university campuses between Thanksgiving and Christmas Break (U of Houston, U of Texas at Austin, North Dakota State University, Penn State, LSU), Ashley and I are quite proud to announce that we will be employed by the Department of Communication Studies at Louisiana State University on August 18, 2008.

We could not be more excited for a variety of reasons. We will be working with great people at a flagship university, which happens to be in an exceptional location - merely 2.5 hours from both sets of soon-to-be grandparents! Needless to say, we are thrilled beyond words.

It was a tough choice. But when it came down to it, the combination of the LSU offer with the importance of being close to family -we simply could not turn that down. We feel that we can really establish the kind of life we'd like to have in Baton Rouge ... one that successfully balances both academic and family life. God has truly blessed us more than we deserve ...

Of course, the question that many of you now are asking is, "Are you going to start cheering for the 'other' Tigers?" In fact, this question was asked several times by members of the LSU faculty. My answer was always, "I'll be a loyal employee to LSU. I'll even cheer for LSU ... that is, unless they are facing off against my Tigers ... War Damn Eagle!" I was also surprised that LSU fans don't smell much like corndogs ... go figure!

So, we're working steadily trying to get our dissertations finished in time to meet the August commencement deadline (not to mention our personal deadline of being "nearly done" by April 8). We are on track and looking forward to our move. Geaux Tigers ... okay, so maybe I'll share a little room in my heart for the other Tigers.

Here are some pics from our visit to Baton Rouge. We were on our way from New Orleans to Jackson with Ashley's immediate family (coming back from our Christmas Cruise).

This will be our new "home-away-from-home" -




A random tower named after me...





As soon as he saw the Tiger, Britton had to get on it.




Regardless of your fanhood, it is an awesome site.