For nearly ten years I had the opportunity of teaching the Coker Communication Senior Seminar. This is our Capstone Course. During those years I established a section called 'Tuesdays with Morrie' that was based on a book by that name. I used it as an opportunity for the students to get life lessons from faculty, staff and others with whom they might not normally have regular interaction. The cooperation was amazing as lots of people came in to share with the students.
Just recently, the college has established a "Last Lecture" series that begins this year giving retiring faculty the opportunity for that LAST LECTURE. I think this is a fantastic idea and really hope students take advantage of the wisdom that I know is going to be shared.
Barb Steadman, our new director of media relations, prepared the following news release about this series and I am including it for convenience in the blog. You can find it on the Coker web site:
Coker College Establishes “The Last Lecture Series”
HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Feb. 1, 2011 – Coker College President Robert Wyatt announced today that the college is establishing a new program, The Last Lecture Series, to celebrate academic excellence and individual achievements of Coker faculty.
“It has been several years since computer science professor Randy Pausch gave his now-famous lecture at Carnegie Mellon University. His presentation drew millions to his story and to a greater appreciation for the importance of taking full advantage of individual opportunities—regardless of one’s challenges—in the quest for achievement,” Wyatt said.
“Colleges are not immune from the tendency to take more note of obstacles than opportunities. It is incumbent on an institution as blessed as Coker College is with talented, accomplished faculty to look beyond the obvious boundaries, to redefine what it means to be ready for tomorrow’s challenges. In establishing this forum for retiring faculty presentations, we invite students of all ages to pay tribute to excellence and step into stories that will inspire greater individual and shared successes than we have yet imagined,” he said.
In its inaugural year, The Last Lecture Series will include four presentations:
* Joseph H. Rubinstein, Professor of Education – Feb. 18, 3:30 p.m.
Watson Theater in the Elizabeth Boatwright Coker Performing Arts Center; Reception in the Stein Gallery
* Russell R. Hamby, Professor of Sociology – Mar. 22, 7 p.m.
Charles W. Coker Auditorium in Davidson Hall; Reception in the Drawing Room
* Deborah I. Bloodworth, Associate Professor of Theater – April 1, 3:30 p.m.
Watson Theater in the Elizabeth Boatwright Coker Performing Arts Center; Reception in the Stein Gallery
* Patricia G. Lincoln, Provost and Dean of the Faculty, Professor of Biology – April 18, 7:30 p.m.
Watson Theater in the Elizabeth Boatwright Coker Performing Arts Center; Reception in the Stein Gallery
The Last Lecture Series is free and open to the public.
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Coker College readies undergraduates for personal and professional success through a distinctive four-year program that emphasizes a practical application of the liberal arts as well as hands-on and discussion-based learning within and beyond the classroom. Coker is ranked among the “Best Colleges” in the South by U.S. News & World Report as well as The Princeton Review. Located in Hartsville, S.C., Coker is within two hours of the cultural, financial and recreational resources of Charlotte, Columbia, Charleston and Myrtle Beach.
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Barb Steadman
Director of Media Relations
Coker College
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