Dan Schryer
Contributing Writer
North Central College professors, Dr. William Muck and Dr. Kristine Servais, were chosen as featured speakers at the annual Last Lecture event which took place on May 14.
The event’s theme was “Oh, the Places You’ll Go,” inspired by Dr. Seuss’ well-known children’s book, and had both speakers discussing the creation of new experiences in our simultaneously expanding and shrinking world as well as what it means to be a leader.
The College’s student body nominated both professors and the massive turnout was a testament to each professor’s popularity. Only standing room was available as Servais began her lecture.
Servais, an associate professor of education who started teaching at the College 12 years ago, is set to retire next year. She began her lecture with a simple set of rules.
“Pay forward the lessons and mistakes I’ve learned [and]provide a path for the places you may go upon leaving North Central,” said Servais. “Recognize and celebrate your various experiences and successes at NCC.”
Servais also urged students to fully participate in life every day in meaningful ways, create the path for the future they desire and make a commitment to what they love, to name a few. She also implored students to take more risks and to leave their comfort zone in order to cultivate new and exciting experiences. Servais likened developing minds to the lobster, insofar that a lobster can only grow beyond its initial shell if it first breaks the shell, leaving itself temporarily vulnerable.
Servais concluded her lecture by reminding attendees that every day is a new beginning, and that life must be celebrated in its many forms. Additionally, she handed out starfish to attendees in reference to one of her many inspirational stories.
Muck, assistant professor of political science who coordinates the Rall Symposium and the Model U.N. organization, expressed his initial apprehension to being named a speaker for the evening by telling the attendees of how he had lost his office keys and could only sneak in through his window until recently.
The topic of Muck’s lecture, titled “Oh the Places You’ll Go! And Why You Should Care About the People You Meet Along the Way!” The focus was on how the world around us is changing and what it means to be human in this socially shifting society.
Muck argued that although we may feel more connected than ever with others, thanks to advances in modern technology, people rarely stop and think about the human side of this new world we live in. He urges students to consider the pros and cons of a globalized world and to expand the circle of people who truly “matter.”
Muck also emphasized the significance of happiness and hatred and how either emotion can be contagious to a digitally connected population.
“Our similarities are much more powerful than our differences,” said Muck, who then played a music video for Pharrell’s song “Happy” featuring dancers from all over the globe.
At the conclusion of Muck’s lecture, he urged attendees to make the most of out their experiences with other people. The sentiment was echoed by Servais’ request to “surround yourselves with a solid support team and appreciate the gifts in others” in the preceding lecture.
2014’s Last Lecture event was a celebration of the world around us and those who live in it. It goes without saying that Servais and Muck themselves have been and will continue to be greatly appreciated by all those who had the privilege to attend this event.
