Dr. Sam Matteson is a retired professor of physics (UNT Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus).
In the 27 years he was on faculty he served at various times as Chair and Interim Chair of Physics, Materials Science, and Speech and Hearing Sciences. During his time in academia he was an active member and contributor to the Christian Faculty Staff Network.
Faculty and staff in academics inevitably face adversity and often conflict.
“In the course of our sojourn in the academic jungle we find many opportunities to forgive the lions that threaten to devour us. It can be hard, but by the grace of God we can access the strength to do so. In the middle of my decade as chair of an academic department I was fired for what many saw as unjustified campus-political reasons. I will share how I found the grace to deal positively with this hurt and what were the unexpected repercussions.”