On Jan. 11, the Oklahoma City University community lost a significant and beloved professor and mentor.
Dr. John Starkey was an OCU faculty member for 21 years, teaching classes in the Wimberly School of Religion and the Honors Program. Students have been very open with how this loss has impacted them.
Despite the feeling of loss this brings to OCU’s campus, the outpouring of love for the professor that has been shared is inspiring for the future of teacher appreciation. The OCU Facebook page’s original post about Starkey’s death has been shared 156 times at presstime, each with unique comments about the professor’s impact and how he will be missed.
When the news of Starkey’s illness was shared, there was an immediate outpouring of support from the student body and faculty. It is evident that this professor’s impact on students goes beyond the classroom.
In light of this difficult time, it is important for students to remember their professors of the past and present and to continue to show appreciation for the work they do. Professors create and foster a safe environment on campus, and without them, OCU would not be the place it is today.
If a portion of the love being shown to Starkey after his death could be shown to the educators on OCU’s campus each day, a sense of appreciation for what we have could be spread, creating a more positive environment for learning and living.
Many professors work long hours, act as advisors for clubs or organizations and provide advice and counsel for students outside of office hours. Many do not do so with additional pay, but out of the kindess of their hearts.
It is evident from protests and movements in the past few years regarding teacher pay that teachers and professors across Oklahoma are not compensated as well as they should be. Most professors do not get into academia for the paycheck, but because of their love for teaching and helping students to learn and grow.
Remember to thank professors for their work at OCU and commitment to the campus community. Reach out to professors who have impacted this university. Write a handwritten note to a staff member who goes the extra mile for students. There are so many people on campus who make OCU run that don’t always get recognized with awards or Facebook posts but still deserve recognition for the work they do.
This semester, take one step toward ensuring the OCU faculty and staff feel appreciated by the campus community.
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