Book Announcement

A big Yippeee! and a lot of Gratitude

So, it is really happening. This came across my desk yesterday morning. I opened the email, and there it was.

The final proof of the book cover. It looks amazing. The book is completely typeset. Not quite sure what to say. I’m excited. Feeling blessed. A bit nervous.

I’m speaking at the Baylor Symposium on Faith and Culture in late February – my talk essentially introduces the ideas in this book to a wider audience of people who are wrestling with AI. The book will be out in time to share it with this group and I am grateful. This book is a huge milestone in my journey as a Christian believer and for my work in service to the wider mission of engineering education at LeTourneau. And I hope it is a small contribution to His Kingdom – those places where His will is at work.

I’m grateful to three folks in particular as I look at this cover. You may not know this (I didn’t), but as part of the process for publishing a book, the publisher may ask you (the author) to suggest some folks who might endorse your book. With some of the names that I submitted, I’ve had more contact than others – some are dear friends or trusted mentors, others are folks who I’ve circled professionally for a while. For the three who have made it on to the cover, I’ll share a story each and a big thank you to these generous people.

For Kelly (who wrote: “...an engaging and compelling call for ‘t-shaped’ engineering education that is rooted, oriented, and animated by following Jesus…If you are an engineering educator or student, you will want to listen to the timely wisdom that McGinnis offers.”) First, a big thank you. Second, I’d like to share a quick conversation that he and I had. He shared with me that he’d been contacted by the publisher about a potential endorsement, and that now he had to read and digest the book – that he wouldn’t endorse via skimming or synopsis – he needed to understand the whole thing. I’d like to think that all of the blurbs on the backs of the books that I pick up have been created in this thoughtful manner. I also know that this is a serious time commitment – again, I’m grateful. And finally, I see in this approach the embodiment of the principles that I describe in the book itself. Formation is slow, sometimes friction is the point, integrity all the way down, and we can’t shortcut relationship. I’m humbled and grateful.

For Ron (who wrote: “The t-Shaped Engineer in the Age of AI is a compelling must read, full of heart. It demands educators inspire through presence while developing a culture where learning is a calling rather than a chore…”) Your hiring me into academia changed my life – the example you set, the mentorship you provided, the wisdom you dispense still. When readers of this Substack read the book, you’ll meet Ron in more detail – know also that the call to genuine relationship and mentorship, and to live out the life of the t-shaped engineer found in the book? It has found an embodiment in my friend and mentor Ron.

For Perry (who wrote: [in the book] McGinnis does something I was not expecting. He uses rich storytelling from personal experience to make engineering human and to demonstrate the threat of AI to that humanity. As a result, his work sets forth a compelling ideal that demonstrates creativity, theological depth, and wisdom…”). Wow. I was moved reading that. I’m super grateful the Editor-in-Chief of Christian Scholar’s Review, who has surely read and read and read Christian wisdom, took the time to digest some of my words and thoughts. I’m humbled. I’m looking forward to meeting face to face in Waco this February.

So, the book comes out very soon (I suspect late January – I’ll find out more soon and post a short notice when the date is firm). Readers here will know that the Substack is chugging along as well. 5 months, 27 posts, over 5,000 views. Some good things happening here as we try to build a little community. Thanks to the readers here for engaging with the stories and insights that are my attempt to shed light on living a t-shaped life, all for Him.

Looking ahead: Two things I’m excited about. (What Mike, only two?)

First, as I mentioned, I’ll be at Baylor February 26-28, spending time with others wrestling with AI and what it means to be human and to flourish. My talk specifically is Friday, February 27^th in a session from 9-10:30 AM. If you’re in the Waco neighborhood, drop by and if we haven’t met, introduce yourself.

Second, the Substack is going to move into a new season with the next post. I’ll be using children’s stories as lenses and parables to illustrate the broad principles of the t-shaped life. I’ve used cultural touchstones and even children’s stories in many of the posts, such as the one that started the Substack on Mike Mulligan, so this won’t be completely new. I hope all of you will come along for the ride into what I’m calling Season 2, which will start with a post on Arnold Loebel’s classic Frog and Toad story – ‘Cookies.’ And don’t worry, if urgent topics come up that don’t have a natural children’s book tie, we’ll talk about those too. It’s going to be a lot of fun.

Reflection Question:

Who are your endorsers? Have you told them how much they mean to you lately?