Liberal Arts and love...
By Megan Frounfelter
Staff Writer

The air that surrounds Albion College is filled with love, professor love.

Judith Lockyer, professor of English, and James McCarley, professor of economics, met at Albion about 15 years ago when Lockyer began teaching. Their initial introduction was at an education policy committee, and they got to know each other while working on faculty committees concerning gender and ethnicity.

It was just over one year ago that the two were married. "It was a longer process of getting to know one another," Lockyer said. "We were friends at first, and then we began dating. We were then married in August 1999."

"Since we started our relationship as friends, we are still good friends, and I like that part," Lockyer said.

The couple enjoys working together. However Lockyer feels it is also important to keep work separate from their marriage.

"We do not let too much of the college in, we keep our marriage and our life together separate from our work at the college," Lockyer said. "Much of our faculty work at the college has little to do with each other, this way we can have individual work."

Steven Bailey and Lisa Chavez, assistant professors of English, are also among the married professors at Albion. The two met in Alaska nearly 11 years ago while Bailey was a graduate student in a creative writing program. Chavez was connected with the program because she received her undergraduate degree there. They were married in February of 1993.

They came to Albion when Chavez was offered a position at the college. The college had openings that allowed Bailey a position as well.

"We work together really closely; we often teach at the same places," Chavez said.

She said she often reads articles that say it is best if couples do not work together because it gives them time apart, but she feels that it would be really strange not working with Bailey.

"I like it, Steve is my best friend, we always have things to talk about," Chavez said. "We work together really well."

With these professor love-birds flying around Albion, it's no wonder that so many hold the popular belief that college is where you'll find your future spouse. Good luck finding yours.