Doug Garfield G’77 earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Toronto and his doctorate in exercise physiology from Syracuse University’s School of Education. After teaching and researching exercise physiology and then 10 years designing and marketing exercise equipment, he taught decision-making, statistics, and nonprofit management to M.B.A. students for 28 years.
PAST: What memory from your time at SOE do you most cherish?
First, the support I received throughout my doctoral program. My graduate assistantship was an apprenticeship—I learned many practical things and, of course, took some wrong turns, but the guidance from patient faculty and administrators never failed me. Second, the one and only Professor Jeff Katzer. He converted me from a statistics-phobe into a fan. I channeled Jeff as best I could with my M.B.A. students.
PRESENT: What are you working on now that you’d like to share with fellow alums?
When you go looking for adventure, don’t complain when you find it! After my last teaching position, I’m now all things digital for a nonprofit: Sertoma Speech and Hearing Centers. Creating and managing web content is a challenge I enjoy.
FUTURE: What is your hope for the future of education and learning?
I’m with Aristotle. Two thousand four hundred years ago, he thought education was critical for a functioning democracy and for developing virtuous citizens. He advised similar educational opportunities for all, aiming to reduce inequalities and create a cohesive citizenry. I first learned this as an undergraduate at the University of Toronto 55 years ago, a lesson that burns especially bright today. Charge SOE!