***** Vol.4 Chap.21 Steady progress *****
Summer had arrived. The pressure of teaching at the Institute was finally off. As JB was wrapping up the semester, Dr. Jim Campbell knocked on her door.
“Come in.”
Jim came in with a big grin on his face.
“Well, JB. Congratulations!”
She knew what that must be. She was anticipating the decision of her appointment as permanent faculty for some time now.
“Am I a part of the permanent faculty now?”
“Almost. The search committee had decided to forward your name to the Dean’s office. Dean Cherry in turn will recommend your appointment to the provost. The rest of the procedures are just a rubber stamp. Though not final until the Regents sign on the dotted line, you are as much a permanent member of the faculty now. Congratulations.”
Jim extended his hand to JB who took his hand and shook it enthusiastically.
“Can I keep the office?”
“I don’t see why not. I will notify physical plant to replace the name plate on the door. I will also direct the office to update all the brochures and website to include your name as soon as the appointment became final.”
“Thank you.”
“Good job. You deserve the appointment. On behalf of the entire faculty, we are delighted to have you on board.”
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
“You are too kind.”
“Let me know if you need anything else.”
“So far so good.”
“Ok, see you later.”
After the interview presentation, her appointment was a foregone conclusion. With another cog in her wheel secured, her emphasis must now be on professional recognition.
She needed powerful friends in the professional circle. She was counting on meeting Dr. Chris Abrahamson at the workshop but that did not materialize. The workshop was too small a meeting to sound off her vision anyway.
Needing to make her own waves and chart her own course, she decided to call Dr. Chris Abrahamson and made her acquaintance.
“Dr, Abrahamson?”
“Speaking.”
“This is Dr. JB Smith. I was a post-doc for Dr. Frank Abdulcizi and worked with him on the genetic coding project.”
“Oh, yes. I know Frank and his projects. How is Frank?”
“I am not sure. We have not been able to locate Dr. Abdulcizi for a few months now. The Institute had offered me a permanent position replacing Dr. Abdulcizi. I am taking over all his classes and his research programs.”
“Really, congratulations.”
“I know Dr. Abdulcizi thought very highly of you and his friendship with you.”
“Yes, we were good friends.”
“Dr. Abdulcizi also mentioned that you had given him lots of pointers in research directions in the past. Since I am now in charge of all his programs, I would like to invite you to come to the Institute to give a talk and perhaps give us further professional advice on what we are doing.”
“Thank you for the invite. I would certainly love to come and give a seminar at the Institute.”
“Let me see, would the start of the next semester be a good time?”
“Actually, I myself am taking a Sabbatical at Oxford next semester.”
“I see.”
“Hmm. The last time I saw Frank, I told him that I was going to invite him to my establishment to give a talk. Everything on my end for his coming had already been arranged. Let me propose this. How about if you come first to my place and give a seminar and we can get acquainted.”
JB’s heart was pounding fast. This was more than her expectation.
“I do have further results than what was reported in the Workshop and I like very much to share with you and have your professional guidance on what I am doing.”
“OK, it is settled then, I will send you an invitation for next month?”
“Next month is fine. I don’t have any teaching commitments since this is summer break. I will await your invite.”
“Very good. I look forward to meeting you in person.”
“Likewise.”
“Bye”
“Bye”
JB was elated beyond words as she saw her professional career taking off.