All In a Name

I have to admit that I was entertained. One of my colleagues from the university posted on social media about an email exchange between him and one of his undergraduate students. In succinct form, he told how he had instructed the student on the need for him to address professors with their earned title, rather than their first name.

Now, I have an opinion on all of this and a preference, but I was genuinely interested in the responses. I found there was a mixture of everything from “I earned my doctorate and you will call me Dr.” to “I prefer you address me by my first name.” And what was extremely interesting to me was the fact that all of the positions were accompanied somewhere in the reply line by valid reasons for the position. “Valid,” meaning trustworthy, of value, supportable.

That was extremely interesting because, as I mentioned, I have a very clear position on all of this. Sort of. Generally, I tell my students — and others — what my preference is and then I let them do whatever makes them feel comfortable. So some call me “Dr.” (even though that is only appropriate in an academic setting when you have a juris doctorate), some call me “Professor,” some call me “Mr.,” while still others call me “Joey.”

All those names are good. I answer to them. In fact, I answer to just about anything due to some hearing loss and tinnitus.

But I long to be called by another name. And that’s one that can’t be set or earned by me. I have to grow into it.

[frame align=”left”]”Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” Matthew 5:9[/frame]