Celebrating 50 years of teaching at Bradley University, psychology professor and former dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Claire Etaugh gave insight into her successful and lasting career.
Etaugh said working at Bradley was her first job after graduate school.
“I never considered any other institution,” Etaugh said. “At Bradley, I always had the freedom to teach and do research in the areas I was most passionate about. My colleagues in my department and at the university were a caring and collegial group of folks. There was and still is a ‘Bradley family.’ Who would want to be anywhere else?”
According to Etaugh, great professors have passion for what they do. They love their subject area and they have a mission to share and communicate that passion with their students. They have the ability to share their ideas in such a way that makes students not only understand the material, but also realize that the professor values their opinions and ideas as well.
Etaugh also said great professors give their students not only disciplinary, lessons but also life lessons. They value their students as whole human beings and are able to communicate that to their students both in and outside the classroom.
As class schedules open for the upcoming semester, students might factor in the age of the professor as to whether to take a class. However, Etaugh wouldn’t advise basing teaching ability on age alone.
“One’s chronological age is not very important in terms of being able to communicate effectively with students and to discuss the critical issues in psychology today,” Etaugh said. “The key is to keep up with the research literature and with current events, and to talk to students about how these things affect their lives. The feedback I get from students indicates we’re on the same page in beginning to discuss these areas.”
The average age at which professors retire often varies depending on wellness and health. Etaugh said she will know when it is time to leave for a different reason.
“If ever my students and faculty colleagues tell me that I’m no longer effective at what I do, that will be the time to retire,” Etaugh said. “Right now, it’s not on my radar screen at all.”
