STEPHANIE RUSSO
Staff Writer
By looking at her resume, it’s clear that Professor Cyndia Clegg is an eminent teacher with outstanding credentials. She received her PhD in English Renaissance to 1660, her master’s degree in 20th century British and Irish literature, and her bachelor’s degree in English and history, all from the prestigious University of California, Los Angeles.
But you would be doing yourself a disservice if you stopped at reading her resume and didn’t get to know Professor Clegg.
Clegg is a native of Southern California. She grew up in Los Angeles and has been here most of her life. After attending graduate school at UCLA, she began teaching some classes there at the ripe age of 21. After a friend who was a teacher at Pepperdine University offered her a job, she jumped at the opportunity.
“Some of my most memorable moments at Pepperdine University were when I was the advisor in Florence for the overseas program,” said Clegg. “One of the scariest was the mudslides in Malibu.”
But Pepperdine has changed considerably from how we know it to be today, and no one knows that better than Professor Clegg.
“I was the first woman who was pregnant out of all the women teaching at Pepperdine,” exclaimed Clegg. “There were also very strict rules against dancing, and the student body was much less diverse.”
One thing that hasn’t changed, however, is Clegg’s dedication to her students. After a 15-year break from teaching the Great Books Colloquium, Professor Clegg has decided this year to teach it again, although it is not always easy. Great Books is not your average class. It incorporates Socrates’ method of an open forum for discussion, which has become known as “Socratic Seminar.”
“The challenge is keeping a balance in the class,” said Clegg about the unique round table discussion methods. “Even though it’s hard sometimes, I like this model. It keeps students engaged in conversation.”
One of Clegg’s current students, Martin Premoli, knows Professor Clegg well.
“I had Professor Clegg first semester and now this semester too,” he explained. “I decided to take her again because she is very relaxed and open. She never bashes you and always makes you feel welcome.”
Austin Badgett is another current student.
“I originally took Professor Clegg’s class because I had friends in it, but I’m glad I took it,” Badgett said. “I like the less structured, relaxed environment of the class. She also let’s everyone express their opinion.”
Clegg explained that while she has some say in what books are taught each semester in Great Books, there is a committee of teachers that have the final say. However, she does do some outside research, which helps shape the way she teaches her classes.
“I read a lot of scholarly journals and write some myself,” said Clegg. “I want to motivate my students and demand from them a high level of thinking, so I have to prepare myself as well.”
Both Premoli and Badgett agree about their favorite book: Dante’s “Divine Comedy.”
“I thought it was a good story and not too difficult,” said Premoli.
“There’s a lot to debate in the book, especially about Purgatory,” adds Badgett. “It’s also very illustrated.”
Professor Clegg is not a one-woman show, however. There have been many colleagues who have influenced her since she arrived at Pepperdine.
“The entire faculty here at Pepperdine University is amazing. They are all such great people,” said Clegg. “I’m very close to D’Esta Love because we worked on the International Program together. I also respect Rick Morris and former dean Bill Philips greatly.”
Professor Sonia Sorrell is another friend and respected colleague of Clegg’s.
“Dr. Clegg is a professor for whom I have the highest respect and admiration,” said Sorrell. “Dr. Clegg and I team-taught Western Heritage together for several years and I was always impressed by her wealth of knowledge and her ability to connect with the students. She is the consummate scholar, but at the same time, she is accessible and down-to-earth. I am blessed to have Dr. Clegg as a colleague and a friend.”
With all the work she does at Pepperdine, you may think that it’s all work and no play for this outstanding teacher. In her free time, however, Professor Clegg loves to travel and run. And who would have guessed that she is also a gourmet cook?
It is impossible to get the full picture of this multifaceted woman just by pouring over her resume. Professor Clegg is extremely dedicated, kind and reliable. It is no wonder that she is one of the most popular teachers at Pepperdine.
04-16-2007
