The Doctor is in.

June 2017

100th Anniversary for West Seattle High School

Nancy gave three speeches at the annual P.E.O. Washington State Convention in Tacoma. She is perhaps the most successful promoter and sponsor of the P.E.O. Star Scholarship in the state. Ten of the high school girls she has worked with since 2009 have won this highly selective scholarship.

When she returned from Tacoma, I joined her as we attend the annual West Seattle High School Alumni Association reunion. It was our own 44th high school reunion. She made me squeeze into my yell leader sweater and I wore my letterman's jacket. It was a warm early evening.

This event marked the 100th anniversary of the school building. We arrived after the reunion events but in time for the huge "group hug." We're just to the left of the middle of the front third of the folks. Randy is back by the balloons near the front door with Lisa Bergman. I didn't even locate him in that crowd.

I did meet up with my high school girlfriend Kathy (Finney) Hildebrand. She was especially happy to see me. Her two boys must be in their late thirties and both work for the Post Office. She still lives in Kent and works for the Social Security Administration, this unchanged from when we met her at the 15th reunion in 1988. I understand she has followed my career online. At least one friend still considers me "debonair."

I feel little nostalgia for this place where I had a very good three year experience. Like I also think of Kansas, 'it's a nice place to be from.'

Jean is in Her Element with Shakespeare

In May, Jean acted in The Fern Shakespeare Company's production of Macbeth at Theatre 4 of Theatre Puget Sound on the top floor of the Armory (formerly the Center House) at Seattle Center. She played a witch, a murderer, and Malcolm who finally becomes the King of Scotland at the play's conclusion.

In June it was a reprise of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) performed earlier in the year. These images are from that production. "Join three expert Shakespearean actors on a hilarious, high speed journey through ALL 37 of Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories and Tragedies--in just 90 minutes! 3 actors, 37 plays, 90 minutes! No previous Shakespeare knowledge required! The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) stars Annie St John, Jean Sleight and Roger Estrada." They performed at the Slate Theater in the SODO District.

Bits and Pieces

♦ Father's Day provided a chance to get a picture with my "two sons and three daughters." We included Thomas in the celebration as we counted this as his first Father's day.

♦ I covered Acts 1:1 to Acts 4:22 in my first five of ten lessons at Emerald Heights Retirement Community on Thursday mornings. These hour-long presentations are again being well received.

♦ Dr. Kelley wants me to see Dr. Eskandari again. I've struggled to get my blood sugar numbers down. Although it's clear that careful diet and serious exercise is key to success here.

♦ After regular reminders from Annie, I purchased my "Interagency Senior Pass" (which replaced the Golden Age Passport ten years ago.) I got it on the 29th at the flagship REI store in Seattle. They have their own National Park Service Ranger Station! On the way home on the bus I recalled how we managed to travel with a grandparent so we could get into National Parks for free. At 62, I apparently have now gained that family role.

♦ My contract for 2017-18, received on the 30th, places my base gross salary at $68,712. Payments for teaching BUS 1700 will raise that to over $72,300. My dean is off to his home in New Zealand, but when he returns on July 19th, I must review a new job description with him that I have been asked to prepare for myself. My current job description is over 17 years old, and my responsibilities have evolved as technology and my teaching assignments have changed.

♦ At the BCS Track & Field end-of-season dessert on June 9th, I was especially well thanked. I do expect to keep taking sports photos for them, but am unsure how much effort I will continue to give to this. The fine plaque the Athletic Director Mark DeJonge presented me with implied I was completely done. I know I left them with that impression in May, but my heart and head continue at odds.

♦ I learned this month that Dr. Doug Downing, Associate Professor of Economics will be retiring in June 2018. He is three years my junior. Then on the last day of this month, I learned that Dr. Dan Hess, Professor of Finance, has announced his retirement for March 2019. I created this chart especially to highlight the "peloton" of seven faculty members around my age. Today, I hope to retire in the summer of 2024, after 35 years at SPU and at the age of 69 — if God and my health allows.

♦ One of our graduating students, a double major in Economics and Political Science, left this note for me. "Dr. Sleight — I just wanted to say thank you for letting me use your study area and for supporting so many students. Your Excel class I took 2 years ago has been the most useful class I have had. Thank you for always being there to answer a question. God bless, Daniel Fenlason"

I met Daniel's parents at the post-Ivy Cutting party. They are from Alaska.

My Quote from June

The key word in verse one is actually the word began. Everything written in the Gospel of Luke was a summary of what Jesus began to do. What we will be studying this summer in Acts is what Jesus continued to do, as reigning King, encouraging, directing, and empowering His people by means of His third identity, the Holy Spirit.

In a way, the actor Jesus now moves behind the camera and takes His seat as the Director. And the ensemble of supporting actors like Peter, James, and John, now take the leading roles on the stage.

From Lesson 1 of my summer series beginning The Acts of the Apostles.

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