Precisely forty summers after the Summer of Love, here I go: I’m moving to San Francisco!

The short version: The job hunt is over! I have accepted the position of Dean of Math and Sciences at the College of Marin! I will be moving down to the Bay Area very soon.

The slightly longer version: On April 27th I traveled to the Bay Area to interview for the position of Dean of Math and Sciences at the College of Marin in Kentfield, CA…a short distance from San Francisco, a small town up in Marin County, a little bit north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Given the proximity to San Fran, former home of the Grateful Dead, and feeling extraordinarily good that day, I wore one of my many colorful Jerry Garcia ties for the occasion. During the process, one of my interviewers asked me about my attire and I admitted the neckwear was, indeed, a J. Garcia, adding that “well, you know, I was thinking ‘San Francisco’ when I got dressed this morning…” We all chuckled a little bit over my comment.

The whole time on campus that day had quite a comfortable feel to it, and I spent the afternoon in two long interviews which, at the time, I believed, went quite well. But the days, and then eventually weeks, went by and I heard nothing…so I was starting to put this job possibility out of my mind when, a week ago Friday (May 18th), I received a call from them seeking permission to contact my references. Well, yeah, please do!

So, during the following week, they made their calls until, finally last Friday, I received a call offering me the job. Ohmygod, I thought, this is really happening! The job search is over!

Today we came to agreement on the terms of employment and, so now, having the deal in writing, I will be packing up my stuff here in Oregon (where I’ve spent virtually my entire adult life) very shortly and moving down to the land of earthquakes and extremely (obscenely?) high real-estate prices.

I feel very fortunate that I have been offered this position, one of the most attractive I applied for this (or any other) year, and in a location that, I believe, will suit me just fine. I can’t wait to be a Golden Stater, actually…and to live so close to the city that I’ve been drawn to ever since my first visit there in 1971.

It’s been three long years now since my departure from the Oregon University System and the beginning of my quest to re-make my life as a community college administrator. It’s looking like things have worked out after all!

For those who have been there to support me through the thin and thick of this, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[Oh, and by the way…here’s a suggestion for where to be on September 2nd: http://www.2b1records.com/summeroflove40th/]

If you’re going to San FranciscoBe sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you’re going to San Francisco
You’re gonna meet some gentle people there…

[San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair) – Scott McKenzie]