News Release
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February 1, 2006
Boise State University Faculty Couples
Share Both Marriage and Work
Life is sweet for married faculty members
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Trina Sego,
left, and Shikhar Sarin |
Mary Stohr helped recruit Craig Hemmens to teach with her in
Boise State University’s Department of Criminal Justice Administration in
1996. Little did she know she had just recruited both her foremost
professional collaborator and her husband-to-be.
The two had adjoining offices. After their friendship turned to romance,
they were married. Working at the same university, they carpool to work each
day, often hook up for lunch, work on research together and have even
co-authored articles and a book.
“Bringing work home has never been a problem for us,” Craig said. “We can
probably better appreciate each other’s troubles than the average couple who
does not work together.”
They are one of a number of husband/wife teachers and staff members at Boise
State. Some, like Mary and Craig, spend a lot of time together. Others
rarely run across each other during the workday. But all of them have had
some lively experiences because of their shared married and work lives.
First, there’s the faculty and students who don’t know right off that
they’re married.
“We have had some fun in some situations and probably shocked a few people
when we called each other honey, or kissed in front of such people,” Mary
said. “We just explain by saying ‘faculty are really close in our
department.’”
Yonnie Chyung and Don Winiecki, both associate professors of
the Department of Instructional & Performance Technology in the College of
Engineering, said their relationship has also confused students at times.
“When we meet students when we’re away from school, we sometimes have to
defuse their surprise by introducing each other as husband and wife before a
‘rumor’ starts,” Yonnie said.
Yonnie and Don met in college during the first class of their doctoral
program at Texas Tech University in 1992. After graduation they drove to
Boise to start their jobs. Fortunate to find jobs together, they, too, enjoy
the convenience of only needing one car, working the same hours and having
offices next to one another.
“We can sometimes talk to each other without ever leaving the room if we
talk loud enough,” she said.
But talking throughout the day can have its down side, said Elisa Barney
Smith and Scott Smith, electrical and computer engineering
professors.
“Sometimes there isn’t much to talk about when we get home because we both
already know the news,” Elisa said.
And while some of Boise State’s married couples can collaborate on their
work, Elisa and Scott often do not. They sometimes find themselves competing
for the same internal grants.
Trina Sego and Shikhar Sarin, both marketing professors, said
they take advantage of having the same schedule. But when things get hectic,
they get hectic for both of them.
“We took our Ph.D. comprehensive exams at the same time and defended our
Ph.D. dissertations on the same day within hours of each other,” Shikhar
said. “We both experience pressures and crunch times usually at the same
times. So that makes life a little interesting.”
Despite the like schedules, Lynn Lubamersky and Nick Miller,
who both teach in the History Department, are thankful for the opportunity
to work at the same university. For a time Lynn worked at New Mexico State
University and Nick worked at Boise State.
“We weren’t even in the same time zone,” Lynn said. “It’s tough to start a
family when you aren't living in the same time zone.”
The down side for them is that people often view them as one unit, assuming
if they tell one of them something it will get passed on to the other.
Patti Frederickson, associate professor in the Department of Public
Policy and Administration, and Andy Giacomazzi, associate professor
and graduate director in the Department of Criminal Justice, can relate.
“I think the biggest challenge of being married and working together is that
some people believe we are essentially of the same mind—all the time,” Andy
said. “Despite our love for one another, we sometimes have our professional
differences. It is not uncommon for us to disagree with each other in
meetings. I think this surprises some of our colleagues.
“But, we tend to leave work at work. There’s plenty to do and discuss with
three kids and three pets.”
Some of Boise State’s married couples have taken their shared married and
work lives a step further and have actually moved to campus.
Jim and Georgia Girvan have been married for 37 years. Georgia
works as the director of the Idaho Regional Alcohol/Drug Awareness Resource
(RADAR) Network Center, which is housed in the Health and Wellness Center;
Jim is the dean in the College of Health Sciences.
Working and teaching at the same university suits them well because they
relish being part of the campus community in all ways. They became faculty
in residence this past fall in Morrison Hall.
With the same last name, they find they mistakenly receive one another's
e-mail. Other challenges for them include finding a balance between
supporting one another and allowing each other his/her own space; and being
open to hearing critical comments about your spouse and not commenting.
Rob Anson and Cindy Anson also live on campus. Rob is a
professor in the Networking Operations and Information Systems Department in
the College of Business and Economics, and Cindy works in the Provost’s
office as the Projects Coordinator for Academic Affairs.
For the past 18 months, they have served as faculty in residence for the
College of Business and Economics residential college. They are also
co-teaching a course this semester for the residential college students.
“I think we learn a lot from each other’s approaches and talents,” Cindy
said.
All agree that despite a few hitches, being married and working together is
a positive experience.
Jeff Peloquin, a professor in the Chemistry Department, and Kris
Campbell, a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer
engineering, said they both enjoy the academic environment and if there are
any disadvantages of working together, they have yet to discover them.
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For more information, please contact Sherry Squires, Boise State
Communications, 426-1563, ssquires@boisestate.edu.
Boise State University is the largest institution of higher education in
Idaho with about 18,600 students and 2,200 faculty and staff. More than 190
undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and technical degrees are offered within
eight college s. A metropolitan university located in the capital city,
Boise State is committed to life-enhancing research, teaching excellence and
public service.
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Last reviewed on Wednesday, January 03, 2007