Connect with Your DEO!

The camera crew was standing in the hallway.

“Are you here for the photoshoot?” I asked.

“Yes,” one of them said.

“Follow me.”

I led the professional photographers and videographers through the twisting corridors of Lindquist. We arrived at my office.

“In here,” I said.

“This is cozy,” one of them said.

My office is cozy.

“Where do you want me?” I asked. I am professional when it comes to modeling. Did you know I modeled clothing with my friend Nick when I was 13? I’m a regular Fabio. Does that reference work for anybody anymore?

“How about you sit in this chair,” the professional videographer told me.

I sat in the chair and told the camera what I liked about working at the University of Iowa and living in Iowa City.

***

I don’t know why I was selected to be interviewed about Iowa City, but I was happy to do it. A photographer came and took shots while I led an improv workshop with faculty from around the university a few weeks ago. And then a team came and interviewed me in my office last Monday.

I had lots to say about what I liked about living in Iowa City. Walking to campus. Playing basketball in the Field House. Working with the English majors here. Writing in coffee shops. In the four years I’ve lived here, Iowa City has become home. Go Hawks.

“Can we get some shots of you in action?” the photographer asked after the interview.

“Like, checking my email?”

Sure.

A professional team of photographers took pictures of me checking my email. Riveting.

“How about some of you interacting with students?” one of them asked.

“Why not?” I said. “Follow me.”

I left my office with a team of paparazzi in my wake. A scourge upon Lindquist. I came upon a graduate student.

“Talk with me?” I asked the student. What were they going to say, no?

A couple of pictures later, I walked out into the cafe in Lindquist. I saw the Associate Dean. I called out his name. We talked about the Minnesota Vikings. Eventually, he leaned in and asked why we were being filmed.

“Don’t worry about it,” I said. “I’m a big deal.”

He laughed at me. I’m not a big deal.

I led the camera crew into the Dean’s suite. I stumbled upon one of my friends who I improvise with. We did a scene while they took our picture.

“This way,” I told my camera crew. They followed me to the Dean’s Office.

The Dean smiled with suspicion as we were recorded speaking with each other.

“Should I get on your shoulders?” I asked the Dean. The Dean laughed. I like the Dean.

I shook hands with the camera crew and they went on their way. What a funny thing to happen on a Monday morning.

***

I opened my email last week and saw a picture of me talking with a student.

“Connect with your DEO” was the headline. DEO is what the University of Iowa calls department chairs. I am an Associate DEO. I was an interim co-DEO last fall. I guess you should connect with me?

Katie assured me I look good in the picture above. I don’t know. When I close my eyes I see Fabio. Or Brad Pitt. But I guess the guy in the image above will do. He’s a little bit older, a little more rotund, but he still has an enormous cup of coffee, a sweater, and a mischievous smile. At 45, I think Sam’s still a good looking dude.

Always remember, friends, connect with your DEO. And never miss an opportunity to be followed by a camera crew. Connection is a good thing. I’m connected here at the University of Iowa, and that is a nice feeling.