Claude the honest mentor.
I was hired by Western Michigan University in 1970. My field was West African history. I shortly joined the African Studies faculty of the Institute of International and Area Studies. It was there that I first met and collaborated with Claude S. Phillips. He was already a Professor, with research time in West Africa and books to his credit. Claude was friendly and a great encourager in my first years. One day, after lunch in the Bernhard Center, he took me aside and spoke briefly to me. “I like you. I want you to remain at WMU for a long time and make contributions here.” The he proceeded to tell me bluntly and succinctly what I needed to do and the time frame in which I would do it. This was not meant to be an introduction to a conversation. It was the kind of mentoring that did help me to have a four-decade career at WMU, and I suspect that there were others too whom Claude helped. When I in turn became a Professor, I made it a point to initiate similar conversations with young faculty. Thank you Claude for caring enough to shake me up and set me down on my two good feet. I’m so glad I got to thank you a year ago at the 25 Year Club dinner. Bruce Haight
Posted by Dr. Bruce M. Haight
Sunday April 20, 2014 at 4:07 pm
