Wednesday, January 26, 2000
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 5
Professor chooses activist role
Teacher to retire to pursue work fighting oppression
By Mike Hoffman
writer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Robert Minor, professor of religious studies, will retire this summer from a 23-year teaching career at the University of Kansas to move to Santa Fe, N.M.
Among his reasons for leaving, Minor said he wanted become more involved in activist work fighting racism, anti-Semitism, homophobia and other forms of oppression.
"I feel my work here is done, and if I'm going to live a more rewarding life, I have to be outside the University," Minor said. "I have nothing more to gain here."
Minor, 55, came to the University in the fall of 1977, making him the first full-time professor of Asian religions at the University. Minor
came to the University from Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa. His specialties are Asian religions and the relationship between religion and gender roles. He has written five books and now is working on a book about the perceptions of homosexuality in popular culture, he said.
In addition to being an instructor and scholar, Minor has been active in the gay community, actively speaking out against homophobia through public forums, workshops and newspaper editorials. He has a regular column in the Liberty Press, a monthly gay magazine based in Wichita.
Minor said he would miss his colleagues and students.
"The faculty in the department of religious studies have been tremendously supportive over the years." Minor said. "I've always liked all of my students, even if they didn't like me."
Among his regrets, Minor said he wished he would have gotten to know more of his students better.
He said that it was hard to get to
know everyone on a personal level, especially when he taught classes of more than 130 people. He said he usually could recognize a face but not much more, unless a student actively tried to get to know him.
Minor described himself as someone who worked hard to do a good job. A job that he enjoyed.
Many of his students and colleagues thought highly of him.
"We're going to miss him enormously," said Robert Shelton, associate professor of religious studies.
Shelton said that throughout the years, Minor had a challenging and thought-provoking teaching style.
Carrie Johnson, Oklahoma City, Okla., junior, is taking her second class with Minor this semester. She said that he was a great teacher.
"He applies what he teaches to everyday situations and opens his students' eyes to a lot of things," she said.
Other students said they respected the professor for his open personality.
"We feel comfortable challenging him and asking him questions." said Bobbi Weatherholt, Emporia senior.
Bob Minor, professor of religious studies, lectures to his class. Minor will retire at the end of the semester to focus on his work as an activist fighting racism, anti-Semitism and homophobia. Photo by Melissa Thornton/KANSAN
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