I was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and I grew up in the Midwest until I went to high school in New Hampshire. Because I missed the Midwest I came back "home" for college, attending Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. I completed my M.A. in economics at the University of Delaware before heading to Nashville, Tennessee. I spent five years in Nashville (1995-2000), and received my PhD from Vanderbilt University in 2001. (It took me a few months to get all of the paperwork finished after I took my first job!)
I have worked at Davidson College since the fall of 2000. My Mom lives just south of Charlotte in South Carolina. My Dad's side of my family is located in Illinois and Wisconsin. I'm still a Midwesterner at heart, and I try to get back to Chicago every chance I get.
I was profoundly fortunate to have spent seventeen and a half years with the most wonderful dog in the world - Lou. He was born on July 3, 1994 in Sauk Village, Illinois and he passed away on Febraury 21, 2012. He is missed each and every day - by me as well as by all of the others who showed him so much kindness and love over his long, happy life.
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Lou on his favorite pillow and blanket! |
I have been lucky enough to travel to all 50 States in the U.S. My international travel has taken me to Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, most of Western Europe, Russia, and Fiji. I had the opportunity to visit India with my colleague - Dave Martin - in the summer of 2009, and in the summer of 2010 I returned to Sweden for the first time in twenty years!
I enjoy the arts (I have season tickets to the Charlotte Symphony, and I had season tickets to the Lyric Opera and Chicago Symphony Orchestra during my sabbatical year in Chicago), and I'm a very big fan of playing and watching sports. I remain loyal to my Chicago roots - so I follow the Cubs, Bears, and Blackhawks religiously. At Davidson, I've been fortunate to serve as the Faculty Athletics representative since the fall of 2004. It gives me a great excuse to attend Davidson sporting events for "work"!
I have been a "big brother". My first "little" graduated from UNC - Chapel Hill in December of 2010! I also tried my hand at being a volunteer firefighter from 2001 until 20007. More recently, from January 2010 (to December 2011), I served as the Chairman of the Board of the HealthReach Community Clinic in Mooresville, North Carolina.
I am passionate about trying great restaurants, but I value finding a great "hole in the wall" even more. Having recently purchased an apartment near the River Arts District, I visit Asheville reguarly. I consider it my true North Carolina "home". The food, people, and scenery are amazing!
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San Francisco - Near a friend's house. |
On a (very!) long train ride in India. |
Trying to cope with the heat in India! |
The Taj Mahal |
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The Grand Tetons |
The Grand Canyon |
New Zealand - south island. |
Alaska |