Dr. Kicklighter: a professor at Auburn since 1975, prepares to give the first “Final Lecture.” He was elected by the Class of 2008 during the SGA spring election. Lindsey Davidson / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
Joseph Kicklighter, giving advice about friendship, work and life, transformed Foy Ballroom into a classroom when he gave “The Final Lecture” Thursday, April 3.
Kicklighter, who has been a professor at Auburn since 1975, was elected by the Class of 2008 to give the first final lecture and share past experiences as a professor as well as give advice about friendship, work and life.
“The Final Lecture” was sponsored by Omicron Delta Kappa, Motar Board and SGA.
Andy Newton, former SGA executive vice president, introduced Kicklighter and said he thought the event went well.
“We had a great turn out, and I’m glad everyone came out in support of Dr. Kicklighter,” Newton said.
Newton said he thought the advice Kicklighter gave about relationships was important.
“I think it is important to remember what you take away from Auburn, the friendships, the relationships with professors and the people that you meet while you are here and just to make sure you continue those,” Newton said.
Ben Johnson, a senior in exercise science, said while he did not know Kicklighter, he was insightful.
“Being a senior, it really influences me to finish what I’m doing and go on with my life and just achieve what I can do,” Johnson said.
Brittany Lee, a junior finance major, said she expected it would be a good lecture, and while she had never had Kicklighter as a professor, some of her friends had and liked him a lot.
Reflecting on his years at Auburn, Kicklighter talked about experiences he’d had being involved with honor societies on campus. At one point, Kicklighter was involved with four honor societies and one social fraternity.
Kicklighter said he helped bring Cardinal Key back to Auburn, and he hopes it will be part of the legacy he will leave at the University.
“I’d like to think that is one way that maybe you can make a little bit of impact by creating or co-creating something that is much, much more important than you are and to continue to honor outstanding junior students in the future,” Kicklighter said.
Kicklighter said he got involved in student affairs as a way to get to know what was going on with students.
Kicklighter also gave advice to students facing graduation about work, career and life.
He said work should be a passion and something you feel like you are meant to do.
“Teaching gives you a wonderful sense and great deal of pleasure, but it’s work,” Kicklighter said.
He said his vocation has been “filled with fulfilling experience.”
Kicklighter said it is the students’ challenge to find a kind of job that is their passion, and that while he does not deny the positive aspects of money, work should not just be a paycheck and good benefits.
He also said students should leave their troubles at home when they go to work. He said there were many days when he went to work even when he did not feel well.
During the lecture, Kicklighter pulled out a copy of The Auburn Plainsman from 1987 that contained an article about him, which said he advised students to always maintain themselves as pleasantly as possible, and he still believes it today. He said happiness is the key to good health, which is mental and physical.
Kicklighter said students, when they become alumni, need to remember the other people who have helped them along the way and give back to the institution that is close to them.
“Most of us, or I dare say almost all of us, are where we are or get where we are going to a great extent because of other people,” Kicklighter said.
He said scholarships are someone else’s money paying for a student’s school because they care about a student’s education, and students need to remember that when they are alumni.
The last piece of advice Kicklighter gave students before giving them “their big send off” was about friendship. He said to hold on to friends because it is a big world and it is easy to lose them. He said the way to maintain friendships is to make a mutual commitment to the relationship.
“On behalf of Auburn University and all of those who are administrators or professors, those who have known you or perhaps those who have not known you except for part of our student body, I wish you every joy, success in the future, in life, in your career I wish you all the satisfaction and joy that I have experienced in my life here at Auburn University,” Kicklighter said.
