Mike Kirby Rebooted: Life Roles

There are several life roles that inform my perspective. It is important to understand these in order to see the vantage point from which I write about my experiences. I am:

- A Husband
- A Father of three children (two boys and a girl)
- A (Full) Professor (and hence a mentor and educator)

- An Associate Director (under Ross Whitaker within SoC) [2014 - 2020]
- A Director (Interim within SCI) [2018 - 2020]

- An Executive Director of the Utah Informatics Initiative (UI2) [2018 - 2023]
- A Colleague

- A Student (Gateway Seminary) [2021 - 2023]
- A Friend (in the true sense, to a few)
- A Christian (which helps to inform my world-view)

Although any perspective that I have naturally incorporates all of these, there is normally some particular role from which I am writing. When I know this to be true, I will try to mark down which of these I think more relevant (to help you decide if you empathize with what I am saying or not).

Blog Purpose

As of 2008, I was a tenured associate professor of computer science at a well-respected university in the US, I was a husband to my wife of 13 years, and I was the father of three intelligent, spirited children.

Looking back, the high-point was an academic year-long sabbatical with my family living (and working) in London, UK.

In 2009, upon return home to the US, I was told I had cancer. Even if successfully put into remission, life would never be the same. It never is. I made it through chemotherapy and a tandem autologous stem cell transplant. I was, in essence, REBOOTED. Twice.

Rebooting changes one's perspective. I want to share what I have seen, what I have experienced, and what I have learned.

I will respond to selected emails send to mikekirby2009 [at] gmail.com

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Life Roles