Professor William Grover taught American Politics at St. Michael’s College for 30 years, but decided to take part in a Voluntary Separation Program the school offered to more experienced faculty members this past fall. He taught American Politics as well as a first year seminar in fly-fishing, which earned recognition from many students and colleagues at the college. “I’m really thankful to the college, especially Will Marquess in the English department who encouraged me 15 years ago to develop the seminar in fly fishing,” said Grover when explaining how his course in fly-fishing came to life.Throughout his time spent at St. Michael’s College he won a total of seven awards for outstanding efforts to teach and make the surrounding community better. When colleagues and students found out about Grover’s departure, many were caught by surprise, leaving some students without an advisor or a professor for the 2017 spring semester. At the moment, Grover has put his teaching career on hold and plans on spending a couple months in Florida. He sees himself picking up right where he left off at another university or college when the opportunity arises. In the meantime, he will be writing and looking for another job. Grover recently gave time to speak with the Defender from his residence in Florida.
Throughout his time spent at St. Michael’s College he won a total of seven awards for outstanding efforts to teach and make the surrounding community better. When colleagues and students found out about Grover’s departure, many were caught by surprise, leaving some students without an advisor or a professor for the 2017 spring semester. At the moment, Grover has put his teaching career on hold and plans on spending a couple months in Florida. He sees himself picking up right where he left off at another university or college when the opportunity arises. In the meantime, he will be writing and looking for another job. Grover recently gave time to speak with the Defender from his residence in Florida.
Q: How many different courses did you teach throughout your 30 year teaching career at St. Michael’s College? Did you have a favorite that stuck out to you?
A: I taught 15 different courses. I taught in political science, environmental studies, and first year seminar. In terms of working with first year seminar, a fly fishing seminar allowed me to work with the biology department too.
Q: So you have a science background as well?
A: No I don’t. I taught a fly fishing seminar, A River Runs Through for fourteen years, so no I’m not a scientist, but when you get into fly fishing — the way I like to think about it — you become an arm chair entomologist. You have to learn about insects.
Q: Do you plan on continuing your teaching career elsewhere?
A: In fact, I just moved to Florida for a few months but that may turn out to be longer than that. I got some good years of teaching left in me, I just can’t do it right now at St. Michael’s. But I do want to teach. I intend on teaching in either Florida or Montana. I do not have a job right now, and I did not leave for another job, which is probably a misconception with some people.
Q: What happened to the classes you were teaching this semester?
A: I really feel bad about that. The college offered a buyout to the older
faculty. You could start your buy out in June of ‘17 or June of ‘18, it’s called a voluntary separation program a VSP, and I asked if I could move that up from
June to the end of December…. I love the students at St. Michael’s College and really feel bad that I left some students high and dry on that, which was because of the timing.
Q: What will you miss most?
A: I will miss everyday contact with the students, I will miss the enthusiasm of the students and their commitment to social justice. I remember there were times I was down in the dumps because things are tough financially right now, which some days made it hard to come in just because the atmosphere was challenging and sometimes contentious. The students all pulled me through.
Q: Since you have a background in politics, did the recent change in office have anything to do with your departure?
A: I wrote my last book, The Unsustainable Presidency: Clinton, Bush, Obama and Beyond, in December of 2014. But no, it was a very interesting election. A little upsetting to me since I’m a Bernie Sanders supporter, but no, the election had no bearing on my standing at St. Michael’s College. It contributed to the pall of despair that was hanging over the place,
but it didn’t make do that. In fact the lead up to the election was very good for my career.
Q: Do you plan writing much in the meantime?
A: Yes, I am not retired. I think have two more books in me, so I’m going to continue to write. I just don’t want to engage in all the other stuff. I plan on teaching and writing.