A professor who has dedicated 25 years of his life to teaching Johns Hopkins students is ready to tack on a couple more. Last year, many were disappointed to hear word of the retirement of Stephen Dixon, a distinguished author and well-known professor in the Writing Seminars department. At 68 years old, Dixon was finally ready to take a break.
"I've been working steadily since I was 14 years old - I'm tired of work," said Dixon. "I thought I could afford retirement, but as it turns out I can't afford retirement."
Dixon, while happy to keep teaching, wishes he could have more time to simply write. He has a book called Old Friends that came out two weeks ago, and has another book coming out next fall. Writing and teaching simultaneously, however, is a typical day in the life of Stephen Dixon.
Professor Dixon started out teaching writing at the New York University Continuing Education School. At one point, Dixon considered taking a job at the University of Minnesota.
"They called me for an interview, but said if I didn't get the job, I'd have to pay half of the airfare," he said.
When Dixon asked his chances of getting the job, they told him he was the only one being interviewed.
"I thought it went well, but somewhere I must have screwed up," said Dixon. "They asked me to pay the return airfare, but I told them I thought they were misleading, and that I would bring the case to the state senator."
"I don't play games," said Dixon. "I like my colleagues, I like the kids. There is no reason to leave. Besides, I'm not interested in moving."
About a year and a half ago, Dixon announced he would be retiring in the spring of 2005. A search committee, composed of members from the Writing Seminars department, had their work cut out for them.
Trying to find a professor to fill Dixon's shoes was going to be a tough task. Tons of applications, letters, and books from hopeful professors came streaming in. Fortunately, they hadn't selected anyone when Dixon rescinded his decision.
"After announcing my retirement, I ended up writing a letter to the dean renouncing my retirement," he said.
All the people trying out for the position were informed that Professor Dixon was coming back. Dixon said that after a couple more years, he will no longer be a full-time professor, but would like to teach on a part-time basis.
Money, a critical factor in Dixon's decision, may have not been a problem if Charlie Kaufman's original screenplay made it to the big screen.
"A student of mine read the original screenplay for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," said Dixon. "Apparently they mention my book The Play and Other Stories three times."
Upon further investigation, it was discovered that Kate Winslet was supposed to say, "Thank you for suggesting I read The Play and Other Stories by Stephen Dixon." Dixon was one of Kaufman's influences. This could have been a big break for Professor Dixon.
"In one of Woody Allen's movies, Hannah and Her Sisters, Allen mentions a writer by the name of Richard something. Once the movie came out, the writer went straight to press," said Dixon.
Dixon didn't end up receiving credit when the movie came out, but has still made quite the name for himself. If you didn't get into Dixon's class the first or even second time, now you can try for a third. He is here to stay, at least for a couple more years. Dixon did not end up having to pay for airfare, and as luck would have it, Hopkins ended up coveting the well-respected fiction writer. Dixon wrote about the Minnesota incident in a story called "Out of Work," part of his 14 Stories collection.
During his career at Hopkins, Dixon instituted a class in the Writing Seminars program known as "The Long Work." Each year, Dixon also teaches "Rudiments of Fiction." He has been offered positions at other universities while teaching at Hopkins, but has declined every offer.
