Herbert Zettl 1985-1987
Title of Humanics Lecture
Humanics: Education with a Moral Dimension
Earned Degrees
Master of Arts, University of Vermont (1965)
Bachelor of Arts, Alderson-Broaddus College (1963)
Final Title at Springfield College
Associate Professor of History
Short statement that describes what it means to be a Distinguished Professor of Humanics:
When I received a letter from the Dean's office in the spring of 1985 saying, "President Locklin and I (Dean Congdon) request that you serve as Distinguished Springfield Professor of Humanics for 1985-86....The duties are to interpret Humanics wherever you go in your professional capacity and to make a Humanics presentation at a faculty meeting in the Spring." My first reaction was shock and disbelief - "Who me? I am not ready to retire." After I accepted the appointment, with deep humility, I began to worry. "What am I going to share with my fellow colleagues?" Then I thought of a small book I had read that had a great impact on me, "Night" by Elie Wiesel. In that book Wiesel states that "...knowledge alone is not enough. Knowledge without an ethical imperative can turn the human being inhuman....I have seen killers who had college degrees.." With these powerful words Elie Wiesel states what I believe is the core of Humanics - education with a moral dimension.
Short statement that describes how you continued to live the Humanics mission after your year as Distinguished Professor of Humanics:
As I continued teaching and coaching after my years as Distinguished Professor of Humanics were over, I continued to instill in our students an understanding of the Judeo-Christian tradition as the foundation of the values we hold.
