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He remembers you! I have a Philology and World Literature course from him at Notre Dame right now, and I e-mailed him yesterday to run a few "Mormon lit." paper ideas by him. One of those ideas involved looking at a specific current LDS author or two (and I mentioned your name as an example).
He wrote back and said that he would be particularly interested in hearing more about Scott Card because you were a student of his for a year or so. He also said that, while he's only read one of your books (I'll have to ask which--I'm betting Ender's Game) he'd be interested in learning more about your work. In addition, he remembered you as a "very bright and engaging individual." I know I'd be flattered if he thought of me that way in a few years; he is a very sharp guy.
Anyway, just a little blast from your academic past for you. I'd be really interested in hearing what you remember about your time at ND in general and your thoughts about Professor Buttigieg in particular.
Posts: 1068 | Registered: Aug 2000
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I liked Professor Buttigieg very much - a brilliant, intriguing man. The only Maltese I've ever known, but he represents the island nation VERY well <grin>. He and I did not share the same degree of enthusiasm for deconstructionism - he had some - but I learned a great deal from him and I'm surprised and pleased that he remembers me. I'm betting, however, that the book of mine that he read was NOT Ender's Game. I'd put my money on Hart's Hope.
Posts: 2005 | Registered: Jul 1999
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Darn it, when I met with him, I forgot to ask which book it was. He did say, "I often see his books when I walk through the bookstore, and I keep meaning to read some," and we spoke briefly about your career...which meant I had to hurriedly summon up my (woefully inadequate) knowledge of science fiction, fantasy, LDS literature, etc.
After a few months of class (and some personal interaction), I've realized that what impresses me so much about him is that he has that rare combination of brilliance--an immense command not only of his area of expertise but of many related areas--and a genuinely unassuming, generous, and non-condescending attitude toward others. In other words, he's brilliant but doesn't (and probably doesn't feel the need to) make everyone know he's brilliant. He is consistently upbeat, encouraging, and respectful.
University professors like that are too few.
Posts: 1068 | Registered: Aug 2000
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How does this relate to Kevin Bacon? A mere two degrees from OSC to me. I was a grad student at SUNY-Binghamton and while waiting on an interminable line (to register), got to talking with Joe Buttigieg. I lost track of him after leaving for (what I thought would be) greener pastures, but I see he has done pretty well. He was a very bright and funny guy.
I remember he showed us the UNDERgrad exams from Malta, and they were PhD level in the US.
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