Current Release: September 11th, 2007 | Vol. XXIV Iss. 10

PHOTO BY TARA KINARD

Philosopher + faculty +friend =Hultgren

By Tara kinard

tlkinard@vwc.edu

“I’m still one of the first people here in the morning, and sometimes the last to leave,” said distinguished professor Dr. Lawrence Hultgren. Hultgren has been at VWC as long as anyone, and fortunately for many, he doesn’t plan on going anywhere.

“Somebody asked me the other day about retirement but as long as I have my health and my students, I don’t want to think about that,” said Hultgren. It has been nearly 40 years since Hultgren, 63, joined Virginia Wesleyan as a philosophy professor.

“It doesn’t seem like it has been that long until I look up and see those books from one of my first classes,” he said with a smile.

Following their completion of graduate school from Vanderbilt University, Hultgren and wife Mary Lou joined VWC in 1969.

“They had VI basically, and no paved roads, that was Wesleyan when I got here,” he said. (The Fine Arts Building was also present. It housed the chapel, bookstore and science labs.)

The couple quickly dedicated themselves to teaching students and contributing to the developing VWC curriculum. Hultgren taught philosophy upon arrival. In fact, he created the philosophy department, ofwhich he remains coordinator to this day. As for Mary Lou, though she originally joined the faculty as a sociology instructor, her specialty was in anthropology. She soon taught the first anthropology course at Wesleyan.

Though the Hultgrens had other choices, VWC offered something different, something special.

“The future of the college was what was so exciting. (They) didn’t want it to be another branded college. It was unique and bubbling with promise no matter where you looked,” said Hultgren.

The Hultgrens approach to teaching seemed to coincide well with the ideals of the still very young

Virginia Wesleyan and their influence was invaluable to the growth of the school. Not only did they improve the curriculum- Mary Lou by instructing the first archeology course, and Larry by constructing the philosophy department, which is fundamental to any Liberal Arts institution- they also incorporated lessons from the classroom with the outside community. The couple’s commitment to the school did not end on Fridays, either.

“We spent our weekends taking her anthropology class to North Carolina, working with archeology groups,” said Hultgren.With such a passion for teaching and dedication to students, it seems fitting that Hultgren was recognized by his colleagues when he received the 2007 Frank and Jane P. Batten Scholar Award. Having received the Samuel Nelson Gray Distinguished Teaching Award in 2003, (which is based on nomination from students) Hultgren’s ambition of contributing to the education of students and strangers alike simply by doing what he loves, was brought full circle when he was named this year’s Batten Scholar.

Outside of his responsibilities on campus, which include Coordinator of the Department of Philosophy, Director of the PORTfolio Program and Co-Director of the Environmental Studies Program, he is a member of many professional groups such as, the Bioethics Advisory Committee for CHKD, the Eastern Virginia Medical School Institutional Review Board and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Research Committee.

“Teaching is the number-one thing I do. The other I do because I enjoy it but hopefully it’s something that makes me a better teacher and adviser,” said Hultgren.

Hultgren’s commitment to teaching may distinguish him as a professor, but his desire to see students succeed seems to be a quality embodied by the institution as a whole.

For starters, according to Hultgren, the most significant transition institutionally has been the promotion of student success by shifting the emphasis from teaching to student learning.

“That’s the key” said Hultgren. Not the student body or faculty but the interaction between the two.”

Then there’s the trademark of Virginia Wesleyan: “our ability to work with students who are late bloomers.” The school’s willingness to accept students who may show potential but have blemishes that would send up red flags in typical admission offices, is a trait specific to Wesleyan. This is not only beneficial to these specific students, but also the school in general. By taking a chance on students that other colleges may label risky, Virginia Wesleyan is truly embracing the Liberal Arts mentality and expressing a genuine interest in helping all students, not just those who produce outstanding credentials on paper.

“That’s something very unique about Virginia Wesleyan. We recognize those students with special qualities and we give them a chance and help them. That’s really what teaching is about,” said Hultgren. “I hope we never lose that.”

Though he is supportive of Wesleyan’s bid to become a Phi Beta Kappa caliber establishment, he maintains that a balance must be found between the standards attached with P.B.K. institutions and the unique qualities that Wesleyan are founded on, like a strong focus on student success and providing underdogs with the opportunity to flourish.

“Anytime you set your sights high, it’s a good thing,” Hultgren said regarding the bid to reach Phi Beta Kappa status.

With his firsthand knowledge of the schools development over the years, Hultgren was able to identify major adjustments that have been made, though he’s careful not to make a habit of idealizing the past.

“It’s funny. I try not to babble on about the good ol’ days, they never were that good; well they were, but they were as good as they are now.”

Dr. Hultgren is not a man that appears to be busting at the seams with pride, despite his many accomplishments and respectable status on campus. Instead, his humble demeanor reflects a man who considers himself fortunate.

Hultgren has recently become a grandfather of two. (His youngest son Aaron now has a daughter, 7-month-old Lilly, and eldest son Kristian has fathered 6-week-old Lilly.) But it’s his ability to help others everyday by doing what he loves, that Hultgren seems to generally appreciate the most.

“My teaching and doing philosophy, said Hultgren, “I love it. This is my leisure time.”