Page 11 - Arts & Sciences 2012

Q : D i d Dr . N e l s on i n f l u e nc e y our t e a ch i ng s t y l e ?

I model much of my teaching style after Dr. Nelson, who demanded that we read extensively (often entire books) and write voluminously. The most common complaint today among employers is the lack of critical thinking and writing skills among new employees. Requiring rigor, challenging students and grading written assignments takes much time and energy, which is why many faculty members would rather give multiple-choice tests and lecture from the textbook. Reading , studying , learning , thinking , critiquing , criticizing and then articulating thought is the most successful process in education. Dr. Nelson used that method. He stretched us.

Q . Wh y d i d y ou cr e at e t h e s cho l a r s h i p ?

I wanted Dr. Nelson to know how much I appreciated and respected what he did for me. I also wanted his name to be honored forever at Texas Tech. I want a promising undergraduate student to benefit from the legacy of excellence that I enjoyed.

I hope the recipients of the scholarship feel the same obligation and later in their lives fund a scholarship in the name of a professor who took an interest in them — passing down that legacy to subsequent generations.

Q : Wh y s hou l d a l umn i s uppor t i n f l u e n t i a l t e a ch e r s ?

The reputation of the university comes almost entirely from the research scholarship of the faculty. Excellent faculty members conduct meaning ful research, teach with conviction and engage in service to the community that enhances the reputation of the university — all three. They are tireless in their dedication and work very hard.

Teaching is what makes the most meaning ful difference in the lives of students. I only remember maybe a half dozen professors from my undergraduate education, and all were excellent. The true test of teaching effectiveness may not occur for 40 years. Universities, academies and funding agencies bestow accolades on researchers, but alumni have a duty to acknowledge those faculty members who changed their lives.

Q : Wh at a r e s ome o f y ou r pro j e c t s b e n e f i t i ng mu s i c i a n s ?

Te vast majority of musicians know very litle about business. I have spent the last 10 years educating musicians about business, supporting musicians’ rights and raising money to support indigent musicians.

Q : Wh at a r e y our curr e n t d ay- t o - d ay r e s pon s i b i l i t i e s ?

I work between 60 and 80 hours a week. I run the MBA Program at Loyola, support several nonprofit organizations and am often called to attend meetings to represent the university. I only teach two nights a week, but preparing for class, grading assignments and advising students takes a lot of time.

I try to keep up with scholarship and read many books. The university allows me to do some limited consulting outside the university, which puts me on airplanes a lot, often overseas. I do not watch television.

Q : Wh at c l a s s e s do y ou t e a ch ?

I primarily teach MBA students how to engrain a customer focus in organizations. I also teach courses in systems thinking and organizational effectiveness.

Q : How do y ou d e s cr i b e y our t e a ch i ng s t y l e ?

I do not believe that my students are my “customers”; rather, I believe they are “co-production agents” – we are jointly tasked with satisfying the demands of those we serve after college. I am here to educate them, not make them happy.

I measure my success by students who have been out of school five or more years. I get gratifying email messages at least monthly from former students thanking me for changing their lives. I always tell them to thank Dr. Nelson, because I am just doing for them what he did for me.

Q : Wh at i s y our a d v i c e t o curr e n t s t ud e n t s t o a ch i e v e p e r s on a l a nd pro f e s s i on a l s ucc e s s ?

First, I urge my students to throw a brick through their television and be a sponge for knowledge. They should read voraciously. My experience suggests that from data comes information, from infor-mation comes knowledge and from knowledge comes wisdom. There is no substitute for wisdom.

Second, I admonish students to embrace values, especially those tested values that have served mankind well.

Tird, I urge them to fnd mentors who will share their experiences and wisdom.

Wisdom is the engine of life, values are the fuel and experience is the journey. Dr. Nelson showed me wisdom and was a role model for me in my journey. I will always owe him. I just hope other Tech alumni do the same for a teacher who changed their lives. It is the least we can do.

A friend once told me

that an education is what is left when you forget most of the facts. He was right.

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A rts & S ciences