The Angry Professor?

Several years ago when I was contemplating starting a blog, a student of mine suggested that I call my blog the "Angry Professor." I didn't start one then and just a month or so ago, decided I should, but after thinking long and hard about why he suggested that, I decided I should try to explain myself a bit.

I'm not really an angry person. I'm an emotional and compassionate person, but unfortunately very OCD, which gets me in trouble by giving others a false impression of me. I may appear or come off as being abrasive and often times that makes others think that I am angry all the time and that I do not like them. I can say that no matter who you are, that is not true. I like people, but show that liking in a strange way. I like to push people, to drive them to be their very best.

I'm really not a person where first impressions are good as it does take some time to crack the outer shell and get in to my head. That is, if you get in to my head at all. I'm very outspoken about certain issues and in certain environments, but very guarded around people that I do not know... which actually makes me appear to be pretty much emotionless at times. My wife calls it my duck face, but others think that I am egotistic or just grumpy. Not true at all.

It is true that I have little patience, but even so, I truly do enjoy my job and my students. I can come across as being very tough, hateful, and impatient at times with them, but I wouldn't turn them away if they needed help. Some people say that I try to weed out those that do not belong, and if that is the case, I definitely do not do it on purpose. Everyone deserves a chance at their dreams. Where would I be if I had been constantly kicked to the curb?

I wouldn't be where I am today in my career if I was truly a hateful, mean, or arrogant person. Graduates still call me nearly on a daily basis and many times it is just to chat. My office is always full of students who just drop by to hang out, chat, and to get advice and help on their career and even personal lives.

For any one who thinks that I am truly the Angry Professor, take a minute to get to know me... to know what makes me laugh... know what makes me smile... know what it takes to get in my head :) If you work hard in your classes and learn anything at all from me, then I guarantee that you will succeed in life. Plus, if you think I am bad, just wait until you graduate or enter the workforce and face your first boss. That's when you will know that I was simply there trying to help and prepare you to take flight in to the real world.