ZACH ENGLUND
Staff Writer
A graduate of Harvard University, a professor of law at the University of Georgia, associate counsel for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor (1983-89), an attorney with Davis, Wright & Tremaine in Seattle (1979-83), and an author of a Pulitzer Prize-winning book.
Professor Edward Larson has a resume that puts him among the elite scholars in the nation. And now, Larson is a first-year professor of law and history at Pepperdine.
Originally coming to Malibu a few years ago as a visitor finishing a book, Larson knew some of the faculty at Pepperdine and decided that this would be a good place to do some writing. He then fell in love with the university and thought about staying a little longer, as he was especially impressed with the quality of the faculty and students.
Darryl Tippens, Pepperdine’s provost, played a major role in convincing Lawson that this university was the best option for him and his family of four, including his wife Lucy and their children, Sara and Luke.
“I’ve not met many faculty members who have so much expertise in so many different areas,” Tippens said, referring to Larson’s expertise in science, medicine, law and history. “He’s such a great match for the values of this organization, because we’re looking for people who are brilliant scholars and first-rate in their fields, but who also are supportive of our Christian mission.”
Larson won his Pulitzer in 1998 for his book, “Summer for the Gods.”
Last year, after much deliberation between he and his wife, they decided that, after 20 years of service at the University of Georgia, a breath of fresh air could do them some good. They headed for Malibu and Pepperdine University.
“Change has its benefits,” Larson said. “I talked to many other faculty members and found that change rejuvenates one’s teaching and research. My wife is also from the West Coast and I had lived there for a chunk of my life, so in a sense it was like coming home.”
Professor Larson currently teaches in the history program at the School of Law and Seaver College, expecting his job will mostly cover history of science, and he will also be teaching an undergraduate freshmen seminar next year. Although many of his responsibilities are different in his new environment, one thing that hasn’t changed, according to his wife, is his work pace, which she says is always in sixth gear.
“He’s interested in a wide variety of activities, and he’s able to use every minute of the day to its fullest advantage,” said Lucy Larson, who also works at the Student Health Center. “He’s always doing something, whether it’s work related, playing ball with the kids or helping around the house. There is no wasted time, and I think that’s one of his greatest assets.”
One area he was involved with at the University of Georgia was the overseas program, and he is trying to start up a new program at Pepperdine that takes students to the Galapagos Islands. In the meantime, he wants to be involved in the programs already established, for traveling with students overseas is something that he considers very special.
“I’ve always found that that’s where I have the greatest experience with students,” he said. “It’s a tremendous time of bonding and connecting on a deeper level, so my greatest moments in teaching have been on the various trips I’ve gone on with students.”
One of the classes Professor Larson teaches is History of Science and Religion at Seaver College, which only has five students. However, the students that take his class feel honored and privileged to be learning from such a knowledgeable individual.
“His class is definitely a lot of reading, but it’s really interesting and he’s on the cutting edge as one of the leading scholars in the world,” said senior Rick Johnson, who also plays for the men’s tennis team. “He makes sure to explain things till we fully understand, walking us through our readings and having open discussion.”
Kevin Mills, who is also taking the class, says he’s in awe of the professor’s vast knowledge, and feels fortunate to be able to pick his brain.
“He could literally go on for four hours straight without any references with detail about a whole host of subjects,” he said. “He goes over all the material from his recollection and we discuss things as we recall them. I love having the philosophical discussion, especially with someone who knows the material so well.”
One thing that both students agreed made Professor Larson so unique was how much he’ll go out of the way to talk with you about whatever’s on your mind, and how much he stresses the importance of getting to know every student. One of the biggest reasons Larson says he loves his job is that the learning process goes both ways.
“A good teacher is always teaching and learning,” he said. “And I love working with them and helping them find their course and preparing them for their life’s goals. I think that close connection is a real benefit to a smaller school like Pepperdine. I enjoyed that as a student, and I enjoy it just the same as a professor.”
A Harvard graduate, an award-winning author, a world-renown professor and a loving father and husband, Professor Larson is a man that needs nothing more to solidly his legacy. Yet, he still remains humble in his circumstances, knowing that he’s just a pawn in a much grander scheme of things.
“This particular life, on one hand, is pretty short,” he said. “But it’s a unique time in our existence, and college is sort of a launching pad off to being on your own, so it’s an exciting time to be with students. It’s an incredible blessing to not only work with them, but to actually get paid doing it.”
04-16-2007