President Hall teaches Constitutional history
Teaching students is the main priority of Utah State University and President Kermit L. Hall is leading the way by teaching a class in constitutional history, his area of expertise, university Provost Stan Albrecht said.
“It provides a wonderful model for other faculty and administrators by underscoring the value the president places on this most important of the things we do at universities – teach students,” Albrecht said. “It gives at least some of our students the opportunity for exposure to someone who is a master teacher and a scholar of international reputation.”
Jeremy Wooden, a senior majoring in history, said the class is incredibly rewarding and demanding. In other classes, Wooden said he was able to regurgitate information, but in President Hall’s class, he makes you know the material.
“President Hall makes you get to the heart and understand. I have had to re-orient the way I study because he is more demanding,” Wooden said.
Angela Morris, also a senior history major, agreed President Hall makes the students know the material. She said the quest he leads to understand the Supreme Court causes them to delve into the cases more.
The class goes in-depth on historical issues; the social and economic influences on the judges of the Court at the time of the decision. President Hall said he focuses on the details of the cases to add richness and find turning points in the cases, said Shawn Harris, a junior majoring in political science.
Tricia Randall, a senior majoring in history, said she was not intimidated with the university president teaching the class.
“I’m excited to work with someone at that level, to see a president in action,” Randall said.
Linda Eyre, a member of the Board of Trustees, and Dennis Sessions, the alumni president, both agreed it is great President Hall is teaching.
Eyre said teaching helps President Hall create a connection with students.
“I think it’s fabulous. If you have someone that qualified, why not? How can you get anybody better qualified,” Eyre said.
“These students are every bit as good as I’ve ever had,” President Hall said. “Everyone is highly motivated.”
To help stimulate the students, Hall said he uses the Socratic method to teach. The method is based on using questions to lead a conversation. Hall said he uses the Socratic method to help students articulate their thoughts clearly and to think on their feet. While not easy, teaching Socratically creates an environment where those involved are able to learn and teach, President Hall said.
“The hard part with teaching Socratically is you never know what the other guy is going to say or how long it will take,” President Hall said.
Sara Sinclair, a member of the Board of Regents, said it is positive President Hall is teaching, for both the students and the university. She said there are no concerns between the time President Hall must dedicate to the class and his administrative responsibilities.
“I have no concerns,” Sinclair said. “Student success is the responsibility of the university and the students. He is truly dedicating himself to students.”
President Hall said, “I’ve always taught. I’ve never missed and never will. If I’m too busy to teach I should look for something else to do.”