Professors ponder the past
Although the Founders building was constructed in 1949, it still looks very much the same.
Since the moment the University of San Diego opened its doors in 1949, it has evolved with the students who passed through it. There is no doubt that USD has seen many changes in its years as a Catholic university in the rapidly evolving San Diego area. Nobody seems to be as attuned to these changes as faculty members who have spent a significant portion of time at USD, either because they have spent a large portion of their career here, or attended USD as students.
Some professors noted a significant change in the student body. David P. Sullivan, associate professor in the department of Communication Studies since 1991, noted the way student motivations have changed.
“They seem more focused on careers, right from the get-go, and look to get into majors really quickly,” said Sullivan. “I can’t blame students, especially with the tuition costs. I don’t see it as necessarily positive or negative, per se, I think it’s a truth. I’ve seen it sometimes be a little too tight, where first-year students are asking me ‘How can I get a job in this field?’ (I would tell them) maybe just explore different fields first, but goal orientation: there’s nothing wrong with that.”
Bradley Melekian, English professor and class of 2002, remarked upon the changed USD climate from its reputation as a school for students who simply wanted to indulge in San Diego culture.
“There’s no doubt that that is a draw for a lot of students — it was a draw for me,” Melekian said. “What I’ve been pleased with seeing is a diversity of interests as well, where maybe when I was here it was more of just a liberal arts college by the beach. I think USD has made a lot of efforts to become an anchor institution.”
Melekian noted USD’s recent involvement with the Linda Vista community, the marine sciences community, and other charitable organizations in San Diego. Sullivan, however, disagreed, stating USD has always had that emphasis.
“It obviously is a continued goal, Envision 2024, one of the four pathways is being an anchor,” Sullivan said. “When I started here, that was certainly the case, especially in Linda Vista, and now the greater San Diego community. It’s always been there. The relationship with Linda Vista and the greater San Diego community, especially community service, the connection with it. It was always encouraged and always rewarded. And I think that’s still true, especially through changemaking.”
Professor Brad Melekian with his college sweetheart and wife, Julie Jackson, at the 2002 graduation.
As USD attempts to be an anchor institution for the neighboring San Diego area, it has also attracted a larger variety of students. Sullivan noticed that it has attracted a larger variety of students.
“They’re really into doing community service, with an emphasis on social justice,” Sullivan said. “Students are much more aware of that coming in now, and then pursuing activities, both curricular and extracurricular that are social justice-based.”
Craig Barkacs, class of 1978, associate professor of business law, commented on the development of USD’s business school.
“(The business school) didn’t have an international business law class,” Barkacs said. “But as our student population has become more diverse and worldly, courses are expected to take on that same approach.”
With the diversification of the student population, there has also been an increased variety of student beliefs and ideologies.
Kristin Moran, class of 1994, who is associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of Communication Studies, commented on how USD progressed from being a conservative campus.
“The march earlier this semester, that is something that wouldn’t of have happened when I was a student,” Moran said. “This was a very politically conservative campus. I would say in general, there is more diversity, and that is something I haven’t seen in a while and I think that’s very heartening.”
With the rapid change of campus culture, there has also been a significant shift in campus life due to the rapid development of technology. Linda Barkacs, USD Law class of 1993 and associate professor of business law, noted that her class was the first to be certified to do online research.
Other professors note the ways it has affected their lives as professors.
“One of the biggest differences is how changes in media technology have rewritten how students communicate both among each other and with faculty, so that email is great, and now that is the de facto medium that faculty, staff, and students interact,” Sullivan said. “We’re beginning to see research catching up with this, as a dominant means of communicating that social media influences every aspect of lives, including higher education.”
Moran explained way it has affected the study of communication.
“Certainly I think there was a time, when I was a student, where you had people who studied the media, and then you had people who studied interpersonal relationships,” Moran said. “That distinction is blurred because our interpersonal relationships are mediated over technology. As a discipline, we are not easily divided any longer, and so I don’t think that there is any study of communications that can ignore technology, it is something that has come into our classroom.”
Professor Kristin Moran (right) with friend, Kim Jones, at the 1994 USD Commencement ceremony.
One thing that seems not to have changed about USD as a campus is the way it works to personalize education for the students. Melekian harkens back to his past professors’ style of instruction.
“I was blessed with great professors when I was here, most of whom still work here, and I think that the truth is that everything that I’m doing I stole from them,” Melekian said. “My professors cared a lot about me as a person, and I knew that, and I’ve tried to carry that on.”
The professors’ compassion was evident through their responses.
“It’s energizing for us,” Craig Barkacs said. “Being around smart young people is just a wonderful environment, and we think it helps keep our perspective more energized and perhaps more youthful than it would be otherwise. We love what we do, we certainly love our students, and we’ve had our chance to see the school grow in prominence and prestige over the years, and it’s a joy to be a part of that.”
The professors appeared to be very content working at such a noteworthy institution.
“I feel very fortunate,” Linda Barkacs said. “I always tell people, ‘Every day when I drive up the hill and I see USD’s campus, I always say, “Do I really work here?”’ It’s just such an amazing place to be, and I really enjoy the feel of it, both the people as well as the physical environment.”
Melekian echoed Barkacs’ sentiment.
“I’m super grateful to work here,” Melekian said. Working with college students to steward them through that process has been a blessing in my lifetime, and to see USD as an alumni and professor.”
While USD may never stop evolving with the students who pass through it, it is encouraging that those who have experienced the change have hope for the future.