1977

• Graduates from Bucknell University with dual degrees in Russian (linguistics) and mathematics
• Apple Computer is born—hello, future tech

1981 and 1985

• Earns M.A. and Ph.D. in Slavic Linguistics from Cornell University
• Nuclear war with the USSR is still a threat, and language expertise is in high demand

1985

• Joins Syracuse University as a professor of Slavic and Linguistics
• Mikhail Gorbachev rises to power in the Soviet Union, leading reforms and sparking global curiosity

1997

• Named Chair of the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics and becomes Director of the Linguistic Studies Program

2003

• Steps into role as Associate Dean for Humanities in Arts & Sciences
• Syracuse men’s basketball wins its first NCAA National Championship

2004–2008

• Takes on multiple leadership and professional roles:
  Chair of the Department of English (2004, 2013)
  Director of Linguistic Studies (2007)
  Co-Dean of Arts & Sciences and chair of Religion (2008)
  Engages with the national Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences

2008

• Plays a key role in facilitating the opening of the Syracuse University Humanities Center, whose home is in Tolley Humanities Building

2009–2011

• Named Senior Associate Dean for A&S
• Elected to the Board of Directors of the Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences, serving through 2016

2010–2014

• Leads Latin American Studies and Linguistic Studies Programs
• Becomes Interim Director of the Humanities Center

2015

• Publishes the first of a trilogy of op-eds in The Washington Post advocating for the liberal arts
• Syracuse physicists help make the first detection of gravitational waves

2016–2022

• Continues to serve in key interim leadership roles across departments, in addition to his contributions as Senior Associate Dean:
  Linguistics (2016)
  Women’s & Gender Studies (2017)
  Writing Studies, Rhetoric & Composition (2021)
  African American Studies (2022)

2018

• Panelist on NPR’s Enrolled podcast episode: In Defense of the (Liberal) Arts

2025

• Presides over A&S Convocation for the final time (pictured below)