After more than a decade of teaching, students elected Kentucky native, former Auburn graduate student, and current economics professor, Macy Finck as this year's final lecturer.
The program allows students to choose the most deserving professor and thank them for all of their hard work and contributions to students inside and outside of the classroom.
This chosen professor is asked to be a keynote speaker for the University community.
Finck's efforts to relate to his students and offer interesting and engaging explanations are just some of the classroom techniques Finck has used to earn his student's respect.
"His teaching is effective in that he is creative with his lectures in order for students to retain the material more easily," said Kelly McMurray, senior in biomedical sciences and pre-pharmacy and one of Finck's former students.
Finck said he was able to choose his Final Lecture topic.
He said he begain his first draft by making an outline consisting of bullet points.
"I wrote a first draft in about five hours. Then, I made several revisions over a period of a few days," Finck said.
While previous Final Lecture speakers have offered advice for upcoming freshman as well as future graduates, Finck displayed his realistic manner by offering students some truth about the economy.
He also noted on different subjects such as unemployment rate and the rough state of the job market.
"I found out I would be the final lecturer on February 14 and gave the lecture on April 17," Finck said.
"Usually, I have less time to prep a whole semester. When creating class lectures, I usually loosely follow some type of source material, such as a text or article."
Finck offers advice for entering the real world by emphasizing the importance of staying true to oneself.
Some options he offers for success after graduation include selecting a field of gainful employment in order for opportunity of further improvement, selecting a different economy more suitable for one's wants and desires and waiting for a boost in this economy.
"Find your own passion and create your own definition of success," Finck said.
The honor of being the Final Lecturer was first given to Dr. Joseph Kicklighter, professor of history, in 2008.
Next awarded was Dr. Lawrence Wit, dean and professor in the College of Science and Math, in 2009, followed by Dr. Donna Bohanan, professor of history in 2010.
Matthew Kearley, professor in biology, was given the award in 2011.
Finck currently resides with his wife, Emily, in Opelika, Alabama. They are ecstatic to be preparing for the birth of their twin boy and girl in October.
"I was even more proud of Macy when I found out about the Final Lecture Award because I knew how much he loves teaching and helping his students, and it was an amazing feeling to know that they appreciated all that he does," said Emily Finck.
"We feel very blessed to be bringing two more Auburn fans/students to this Auburn family," Emily Finck said.
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