Some months ago when I was trying to figure out a topic for my thesis, I ran an idea by Dr EP which involved St Augustine's political thought. EP wasn't very supportive of the idea but he suggested that I write to Dr Jean Bethke Elshtain at the University of Chicago Divinity School. If she thought the idea was worth looking into, perhaps the project does have some merit. Dr Elshatain is the authority on Augustine today, Dr EP said. Coincidentally I was at that time reading Dr Elshtain's Augustine and the Limits of Politics which Nick's thesis supervisor at the John Paul II Institute, Dr Tracey Rowland (another great academic and author) had recommended. So I wrote to Dr Elshtain. But received no reply. I thought that was understandable and anyway settled on another topic for my thesis.
A few days ago I got a mail from Dr Elshtain:
Dear Dominic Cooray,
I apologize for this much delayed message. The burden of my schedule; some health issues; and the deaths of two precious people (one a friend, the other an aunt) over the past several months have made it very difficult to keep up with the crush of email. I fear my response comes at a time when you will not be able to make any practical use of it....
She replied! And she even apologized for the delay. And she thought my idea was intriguing. :)
It felt pretty good that such an eminent academic would take the time to write to a student she didn't know, writing from Singapore. Some months ago, the great Fr Schall also surprised me by his prompt reply to a similar question.
I observe this in our own department too in people like Dr TN who always makes time for his students and Dr Pellerin taking the time to writing long mails in response to questions seeking advice. One other indication of humility in Dr Pellerin that struck me is how, if he comes to talk to you and you're seated, he actually kneels/stoops/squats so that he doesn't speak "down" to you.
God bless them! :)
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