“One of the first events I experienced as a new Geneva 教师 member was the retirement of psychology professor Dr. Paul Holland, who had a long fruitful career as a classroom teacher and counselor. On the day I have in mind he was clearing out his office and needed help. He handed me the typescript of his doctoral dissertation and told me to throw it in the dumpster. I do not know how he was feeling about this purge but thirty years later the memory of that experience still strikes me to the heart. It seemed somehow wrong to do what he asked, but I obeyed.
Now I have thrown the typescript of my doctoral thesis into the recycle bin in preparation for my own retirement.
It and nearly all my papers, files, course binders, and books must go. It is not possible to take them home. I am saying goodbye to my inanimate friends, a necessary but difficult goodbye, one that calls forth reflection.” -Shirley 基尔帕特里克, 博士学位
基尔帕特里克’s retirement has been a time for her personal reflection, and also a time for remembering an incredibly impactful and fruitful career investing in the lives of 新濠天地app大学 学生.
Shirley 基尔帕特里克, 博士学位, Professor of English and Humanities, has been a professor at 新濠天地app大学 for 32 years. 基尔帕特里克 has taught many classes throughout the years, including Humanities 103, British Literature I and II, The Brothers Karmazov Seminar, 迷人的美丽, 还有很多其他的.
Before coming to Geneva, 基尔帕特里克 was living in Puerto Rico working in the home with her children while her husband taught at the University of Puerto Rico. 基尔帕特里克 eventually embarked upon her teaching journey and discovered her calling to and love for teaching.
基尔帕特里克, when asked what fuels the passion for her teaching and field of study, 说, 解析:C.S. 刘易斯, the study of literature, of the humanities, when humbly offered to God is, in its own small way, one of the appointed approaches to the Divine reality and the Divine beauty which we hope to enjoy hereafter. If approaching the Divine reality and the Divine beauty doesn’t work a body into a passionate joy, then I don’t know what will!”
Anyone who has had 基尔帕特里克 in class or spoken with her about the humanities is immediately drawn in, and her love for her work is evident.
Some of 基尔帕特里克’s favorite moments at Geneva has been her one-on-one conversations with 学生, 的同事们, 当博士. Fraizer and other 教师 的同事们 come to contribute and enrich 基尔帕特里克’s classes.
These conversations and classes hold a special place in 基尔帕特里克’s heart, because she sees the necessity in 学生 studying the humanities and learning to appreciate beauty. One of the largest changes 基尔帕特里克 has seen here is technology and mental health.
“In this day we are standing before a generation of 学生 more sad, 更多的孤独, 更多的焦虑, 更多的沮丧, 更多的自杀, more truly at sea than we have seen in living memory. What food can we possibly give them adequate to their need? I have sought to serve them the carrot, the onion, and the pomegranate. The carrot provides the reality of grace, of recovery from their fugitive brokenness. The onion provides a model for humble service. And the pomegranate provides the grand vision, a vision of intimacy and beauty, of attractive sweetness, open to 学生 now and for all eternity, the vision which makes their healing and calling sure.”
Read more about 基尔帕特里克’s work The Carrot, The Onion, and The Pomegranate here.
The 新濠天地app大学 community, 工作人员, 教师, 学生, and surrounding community have all benefitted from the dedicated and passionate work 基尔帕特里克 has devoted her career to.
为了纪念. 基尔帕特里克’s distinguished career and years of service to the College, she has been given the status of emeritus 教师.
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