While moving to a new city could be exciting, it can also be stressful — getting used to new faces and places.
That’s exactly what Michael Abernethy, senior lecturer in communication, went through 14 years ago.
“I actually moved to Louisville on a whim,” Abernethy said.
Abernethy was born in Bristol, Tenn., and grew up in Houston, where his father worked for NASA.
Abernethy worked in business for 12 years before deciding to move on.
“The business world wasn’t for me,” Abernethy said. “I enjoy being in the classroom.”
Abernethy taught at Baylor University and the University of North Texas before joining the IUS faculty.
“I lived in Texas long enough and thought it was time to move on,” Abernethy said.
It was by process of elimination Abernethy moved to Louisville. The cities Abernethy said he thought about moving to were Atlanta, Austin, Louisville and Orlando.
“I narrowed it down to four cities I had friends in,” Abernethy said. “Austin was too close to home, and I really wanted to leave Texas all together. Orlando was too expensive.”
Abernethy said he was stuck deciding between living in the cities of Atlanta or Louisville. When it came to Atlanta, there was a major problem standing in the way.
“I considered Atlanta, but it was right before the ’96 Summer Olympics, and I didn’t want to move to a city with thousands of people coming to town the same time I was,” Abernethy said. “It would have been too hectic.”
Louisville was the last city standing. Abernethy said he doesn’t regret the choice he made.
“It was a tough decision, but the right decision,” Abernethy said.
However, there were some challenges Abernethy said he had to overcome, and it took him a while to get used to IU Southeast.
“When I first arrived here, IUS was known as Grant Line High School,” Abernethy said. “They had nice programs and offered sufficient courses, but there wasn’t a real clear vision.”
During Abernethy’s time here, he said he has witnessed some changes. Abernethy said he believes the changes have bettered IU Southeast.
“The student body is more diverse now,” Abernethy said. “Due to the agreement between IUS and Louisville, students can now attend classes here and not pay extra for living in Kentucky.”
Abernethy also said Chancellor Sandra Patterson-Randles’ clear vision of IU Southeast has helped the school academically.
Abernethy spent his first five years as an adjunct professor in the writing program before switching to communications studies.
“There was an opening which I had to take advantage of,” Abernethy said. “I preferred the communications field. I still love to write, but now it’s mostly in my personal time.”
Abernethy said he has a full load teaching five classes this semester.
“I’ve taught a hybrid course for a year and a half, but this is my first year teaching online courses, and it’s hectic,” Abernethy said.
One of the classes Abernethy is teaching is a general studies capstone course. It was the development of this course that led Abernethy to receive IU’s School of Continuing Studies Excellence in Teaching Award.
“I was surprised when I received the award,” Abernethy said. “I was unaware of its existence, but it was definitely an honor to receive it.”
Abernethy said he can’t take full credit for receiving the award.
“Everyone who worked on the course deserves credit,” Abernethy said.
By GARRETT TAYLOR
Staff
gartaylo@imail.iu.edu