Lawrence G. Calhoun

Honoree:
Lawrence G. Calhoun

Submitted By:
Dean Mary Lynne Calhoun

Dr. Lawrence G. Calhoun is in his 39th year as Professor of Psychology at UNC Charlotte.

Here is how he describes his work:

“The cultural traditions from which I come use the word vocation to describe one’s life work – spending one’s life engaged in an endeavor one is called to do that has the chance of making the world a better place. I think of myself as being called to be a teacher, rather than to do teaching. Teaching is not something I do; a teacher is what I am.”

He is committed to excellent teaching at all levels of the university, from a freshman liberal studies course through master’s and doctoral level studies. As an originator of the Liberal Studies course called Ethical Issues, Lawrence draws on his deep reading in politics, theology, and sociology as well as psychology to create a classroom experience that exemplifies the power of the humanities and the liberal arts. In his graduate level courses in psychology, he maintains a seamless link between cutting-edge research and applied clinical practice, exemplifying the scientist-practitioner model in psychology. He currently provides doctoral-level seminars in the teaching of psychology, preparing the next generation of psychology professors to teach effectively and to engage students as whole persons of value.

Lawrence was honored with the 2004 Bank of America Award for Teaching Excellence and with the 2005 UNC Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching.

It has been a great privilege for me to observe Lawrence’s deep commitment to the teaching of his students. I have never seen him go into class unprepared. I have never seen him turn away a student who reaches out to him for assistance. I have never seen him lower expectations. I have often seen him rejoice when a student “gets it” or when a former student contacts him to let him know how his class has impacted that student’s future in positive ways.

One of his students summarizes this impact: “He stimulated our way of thinking and made us feel respected not just as students but as people. His extraordinary influence will carry with us throughout our lives.”