River-Rat Reflections

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

THE BANNER (December 2006)

I just received an email asking if I was going to comment on the recent news story in the BANNER about my situation at CTS. I've been out of town and I've been waiting responses from some key individuals. Three have responded--all kindly, but with no power (or will) to do anything. I was also waiting to see if the BANNER would contact me with an apology.

My response in one sentence to what was reported: This is a continuation of 4 years of dishonesty by the those involved and those covering for them.

They can get by with these lies and they take advantage of that opportunity; that's the only way I can explain it. The BANNER reporter says in one paragraph that the administrators can't speak, "citing confidentiality" and in another paragraph quoting Sid Jansma, Jr. (CTS Board president) "that this was aired in front of everyone" (an outright falsehood). Now how can an honest reporter include both statements without asking questions? Someone's lying. But beyond that Sid claims I was "awarded back wages." That, too, is a blatant falsehood. I have never been offered or given "back wages" or "retroactive pay to 2003" (as the mediators called for). There are pay stubs and a salary history that prove beyond a doubt that this is a lie.

But apparently nobody in the CRC is going to challenge them and they will perhaps get away with this blatant dishonesty.

It continues to be a sad day for CTS and the CRC.

I might add that the BANNER also labeled me "Rev. Ruth Tucker." Is that official? Can I now marry, bury, and baptize?

See THE BANNER article

About Me

I am married to John Worst and have a son and granddaughter, Carlton and Kayla Tucker (now married to Ariel Sosa) as well as two step-daughters, Laura and Sarah and three more grand-kids, Mitch, Ashley and Zach. I did my doctoral degree in history and have written more than twenty books and have taught at colleges and seminaries for more than 30 years. John taught music at Calvin College for 35 years and holds a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. Besides reading and folk-art painting, my favorite activities (with John) are hiking, biking and kayaking. Most of our days are spent at our shop, Carlton Gardens, which we refer to as a "hobby gone wild."

My Calvin Seminary Story

I began teaching at Calvin Theological Seminary in 2000--the first full-time woman professor in the school's 125-year history. In 2003, less than 3 months after Cornelius Plantinga, Jr. was installed as the new president, I was, without warning, removed from tenure track and given a terminal appointment. I have repeatedly asked that all the evidence be opened only to be blocked by a dishonest cover-up. When independent mediators were retained by the seminary board in 2005, they called for "retroactive pay to 2003" and my appointment as full professor. They also stated that the charges against me were inflammatory and should be removed from the record. That report was buried. I finished my second terminal appointment on August 31, 2006, and shortly thereafter published my story here.

A Provocative Poem

PEDESTALS

Thousands
cheer,
chant,
and clap
as one of their own
is proudly carried toward the
lofty pedestal.
The audience
urges him
up the stairway,
step by step,
higher and higher,
far above the masses
on the prominent platform.
The media is there
with lights,
cameras
and prime-time coverage.
Publishers huddle
around the base,
for they know
pedestal-people
sell well.
The crowds
on satellite hook-ups
hang on
every last word,
for he seems
so close to eternity.
Yet he feels
unsure,
unworthy,
afraid
and very alone . . .
But at that height
no one notices,
no one questions,
no one confronts.
And so,
in a split second,
the trap door swings,
the noose tightens,
the crowd gasps.
Undeterred, the mob moves on
to build more pedestals;
to encourage another
of their own
up the starlit steps.
But mostly
to wonder
why those
at the pinnacle
keep falling
from the heights.
© 1988 James N. Watkins