Social Action and Justice Colloquium co-founder demonstrates to students that he is a man wholly devoted to true service.
By Faren Visintin
Staff Writer
A small note posted outside of Dr. Jeff Banks’ office door reads: Students don’t interrupt my work; students are my work.
This was substantiated by the numerous knocks and warm responses that occurred during the course of this interview.
Known best for the Human Relations and Values (HRV) course he teaches, Jeff Banks recognizes the importance of relationships and respect in human life.
Besides HRV, the other class closest to his heart is the almost three-year-old Social Action Justice Colloquium, which he co-founded and co-directs. It is a four-semester course that looks at issues such as oppression, poverty and health care and is, as he explained, “Not just a course of looking at, but doing. Every class has a service component.”
A man of true service himself, GRAHAM SHEA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Dr. Banks practices what he Jeff Banks’ office hours are punctuated by
teaches — the values of love, the knocks of students who seek the
respect and understanding. He professor’s wisdom and advice, or just
worked in a hospice for a year want to chat.
and realized just how important
listening, empathy and human
touch are.
“There is an incredible amount to be learned from people who are old and dying as they look back on their lives,” Banks said. “And, if nothing else, you learn how precious and short life is and not to waste it.”
In addition to working with the elderly and the terminally ill when not teaching, he also works a lot with children, especially those from inner cities.
“They are flowers that have grown out of cement, and they teach me as well,” he said.
Although he received a doctorate in clinical psychology, Dr. Banks’ educational background is largely one of business. He attended UCLA for both undergraduate and graduate work, earning a Bachelor of Science in accounting and a Master’s in management and behavioral science.
“My career has been in management, but I have always taught part time,” he said.
While teaching at Cal State Northridge, Banks encouraged one of his bright students to pursue a doctorate. Little did he know that this former student of his — Dr. Mark Mallinger, who now teaches at the Graziadio School of Business and Management at Pepperdine — would hire him in the future and bring him to Pepperdine’s campus.
Dr. Banks has remained here since, and is now in his 18th year of teaching. He joked that he has remained at Pepperdine so long “so I could call (Mallinger) one of my successful students.”
Dr. Banks also teaches business classes in marketing and organizational behavior, and will begin teaching a psychology course in interpersonal behavior next spring.
Aside from earning his degrees at UCLA, Dr. Banks also found love. He and his wife are celebrating their 40th anniversary this December.
“And I still love her,” he said.
His great admiration and love for his wife and three daughters is apparent in the way he spoke of them, and he is thrilled to have one of his daughters teaching a film class just down the hall from his office.
What is not as obvious in his manner of speech is the fact that Dr. Banks was born in Scotland. He emigrated with his family to Brooklyn, N. Y., at the age of 13, and they eventually moved cross-country, making a permanent home in Southern California.
A fan of traveling, he returns to Scotland every two or three years and has also been the faculty member on four Pepperdine summer overseas programs in Europe. His Asian travels have included visits to China, Japan and Taiwan.
Do you have a favorite place?
This past summer I didn’t teach overseas, so my wife and I bought a one-way ticket to the East Coast to Baltimore — I’ve wanted to go there forever — and we rented a car for a month and we drove across the country. We traveled and saw a lot, and some of the most beautiful places are right here in the United States. I fell in love with South Dakota.
What is something you are most proud of?
Watching our daughters do things and grow up to be good people. I think the biggest high I ever had was watching one of our daughters being born. It’s just a miracle. Unbelievable.
Do you have a Thanksgiving tradition?
We have a home in Lake Arrowhead — which fortunately did not burn, but it came close — and it’s been in the family for over 20 years. So we all gather there and those from out of town try to come back.
If you could live someone else’s life, whose shoes would you want to walk in?
I wouldn’t trade my life with anyone else’s because someone else probably has hardships that I don’t know about and their own struggles, but there are people whom I’d like to meet or talk and listen to.
Who are some of those people?
Two people. One would be my mother, who passed away 20 years ago and missed watching her grandchildren grow up. I would love to talk to her about them and share their lives with her. The other person would be Bach. I would just want to be in his presence and hear him play the organ and feel myself rising up. For me, music has that power. I’ve always been into music.
Do you play any instruments?
As a child I played the clarinet and studied the classical guitar growing up. My teacher said I was the most mentally stable student, but the worst player!
A couple of years ago, I took up the bagpipes and learned to play them because they’re part of my heritage. I guess I get some complaints from the neighbors.
I am happiest when…?
I get up in the morning, and I look at the sunrise. It’s the start of a new day, and I feel reborn.
November 13, 2003