Spring Break
The Daily OrangeCampus mourns loss of 'caring' anthropology professor
By Bethany Bump
Posted: 11/18/08, 1:05 AM EST Section: News
Robert McClure, a professor in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, was at the home of Michael Freedman twice last week. McClure's last visit was on Thursday night, when his friend had slipped into a coma. His colleague of 40 years died shortly after.
Freedman, 68, was an associate professor of anthropology who was diagnosed with lung cancer last December, colleagues said.
Freedman and McClure used to teach a class together in Maxwell. McClure said Freedman was always a persistent advocate for his students.
"Anytime we would stray from the fundamentals, he would always bring us back," McClure said. "He would say, 'What's the point?' or 'What about the students?' He was always about the students. He was blunt. He was beautifully blunt."
Freedman received his doctorate from the University of Michigan in 1967, just before he came to SU to begin teaching for more than four decades.
McClure has been teaching one of Freedman's classes since Freedman had to leave the university four weeks ago. When students heard of his death, they told him they never encountered someone as provocative and thoughtful as Freedman.
"He was a guide to their thinking," McClure said. "That he could tease out of them ideas they never knew they had, that's the mark of a great teacher."
McClure paused for a moment and smiled in sad recollection.
"He was a good man," he said.
For fellow anthropology professor Susan Wadley, her colleague's death didn't become real to her until she had to teach a class. She knew Freedman had been ill for a year and upon hearing of his death, she said she felt naturally sad.
"It wasn't until I got up to teach a class afterwards," Wadley said. "I was trying not to cry while I was teaching."
Wadley said Freedman was full of life and energy.
"He was always willing to put his heart into whatever he was doing," she said. "He wanted you to do everything as well as you possibly could, and his graduate students that wanted to meet that challenge really appreciated him."
Freedman, 68, was an associate professor of anthropology who was diagnosed with lung cancer last December, colleagues said.
Freedman and McClure used to teach a class together in Maxwell. McClure said Freedman was always a persistent advocate for his students.
"Anytime we would stray from the fundamentals, he would always bring us back," McClure said. "He would say, 'What's the point?' or 'What about the students?' He was always about the students. He was blunt. He was beautifully blunt."
Freedman received his doctorate from the University of Michigan in 1967, just before he came to SU to begin teaching for more than four decades.
McClure has been teaching one of Freedman's classes since Freedman had to leave the university four weeks ago. When students heard of his death, they told him they never encountered someone as provocative and thoughtful as Freedman.
"He was a guide to their thinking," McClure said. "That he could tease out of them ideas they never knew they had, that's the mark of a great teacher."
McClure paused for a moment and smiled in sad recollection.
"He was a good man," he said.
For fellow anthropology professor Susan Wadley, her colleague's death didn't become real to her until she had to teach a class. She knew Freedman had been ill for a year and upon hearing of his death, she said she felt naturally sad.
"It wasn't until I got up to teach a class afterwards," Wadley said. "I was trying not to cry while I was teaching."
Wadley said Freedman was full of life and energy.
"He was always willing to put his heart into whatever he was doing," she said. "He wanted you to do everything as well as you possibly could, and his graduate students that wanted to meet that challenge really appreciated him."
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Gary Spencer
posted 11/18/08 @ 5:04 AM EST
I am very saddened to learn of the death of my former colleague and long time friend, Mike Freedman. Mike loved students, SU, his friends and his family. (Continued…)
Chandice Haste-Jackson
posted 11/18/08 @ 7:57 PM EST
So very sad to hear of Dr. Freedman's passing. He was an outstanding mentor with an uncanny sense of humor. He challenged me to 'slow down and speak the language of the people'in his anthro of family life course some 15 years ago. (Continued…)
HR Dewey
posted 12/06/08 @ 12:12 AM EST
We've lost one of the marvelous teachers and mentors that has made Maxwell such a special place. My thoughts are with all of those who share in the sadness of his passing and richness of having encountered Dr. (Continued…)
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