December 7, 2009
In the style of the purported original Shackleton version*, possibly apocryphal:
FACULTY WANTED: FOR CHALLENGING EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY, NO SALARY, LONG PERIODS OF AMBIGUITY, CONSTANT DIFFICULTY, SANE RETURN DOUBTFUL, SATISFACTION AND KINSHIP IN CASE OF SUCCESS. RICHARD LISTON, PH.D.
The Sphere College Project is creating a new institution of higher learning. We are in a very exciting time—our earliest stages of development. As of December, 2009 we have around 20 students and one faculty member in Phoenixville, PA, 30 miles northwest of Philadelphia. We are creating a financially accessible college for adults 21 and older who would benefit from an innovative, individualized curriculum. Our mission, written by current students and faculty who participate in the College’s Steering Committee, is this: “Sphere College provides an environment for each student to discover and pursue their passion and vocation for enrichment of the human experience”. We accomplish this through a three phase program described on the Project’s website, http://spherecollege.org.
The Sphere College Project is looking for highly motivated original thinkers to join this effort. Phoenixville unites the amenties of a small town with access to the advantages of a major city. Ideally, a member of the project would be highly accomplished in multiple areas bridging the arts, sciences and humanities, and have an interest in studies in all three. Since we are creating a new college we are still seeking funding, so anyone who joins The Sphere College Project at this time does so on strictly a volunteer basis. It will be necessary for all faculty members to contribute their time and expertise towards building the infrastructure of the College. The Steering Committee of the Project, made up of students and faculty, agreed that all faculty and staff working for the college must participate in Phase I of the program, “Self and Other”. Faculty positions are currently non-tenured. Students and faculty will decide together whether the College will offer tenure in the future. Success in the participation of forming Sphere College will bring considerable opportunity for recognition in the field, and for advancement as the College expands.
To apply for a (currently unpaid) position with The Sphere College Project, send an email to hiring@spherecollege.org. This email must consist of no more than 750 words and must clearly demonstrate:
• that you are accomplished in more than one area of knowledge;
• that you will be able to support yourself for quite some time as the College becomes established;
• that you will be successful as a mentor of adults in a non-traditional, highly challenging environment.
Please send an application only if ALL of the above apply.
Since The Sphere College Project is in the process of growth, we do not have the capacity to respond to applications other than those from individuals who appear to be an excellent match for the Project.
* “MEN WANTED: FOR HAZARDOUS JOURNEY. SMALL WAGES, BITTER COLD, LONG MONTHS OF COMPLETE DARKNESS, CONSTANT DANGER, SAFE RETURN DOUBTFUL. HONOUR AND RECOGNITION IN CASE OF SUCCESS. SIR ERNEST SHACKLETON”
In response to some questions I’ve received…
Ideally, I’m looking for intelligently creative individuals who can grasp the vision of this college, realize that it is important for students to participate in the formation of the college and can contribute energies to the effort. It will be useful for an individual joining us at this point to be able to move comfortably among many parts of society. The most important quality is that the individual be a lifelong learner who is curious about many different bodies of knowledge.
I am a musician and computer scientist, so complementary areas of knowledge would be helpful, particularly business skills, politics, history, literature—humanities in general—and other arts.
Richard