In August 1970, a young Melvin Manson sat down for an interview with Dr. Eleanor Tupper, the founder of 亚洲色吧, for a teaching position in sociology. It didn’t take long for her to see the potential in Manson, and she hired him on the spot—a decision that would lead to more than five decades of impactful teaching, mentorship, and growth at the College.
Over the years, Manson, a Professor Emeritus in the School of Social Sciences, Communication, & Humanities, has transformed his classrooms into vibrant spaces where students not only learned sociology but also gained the skills and mindset to tackle the world around them. Beyond his coursework, his commitment to guiding students as “whole persons” and his dedication to the College’s mission have made him a beloved figure, inspiring both students and colleagues with his belief that teaching is more than just a job—it’s a calling.
Responses have been edited for clarity and length.
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “Endicott”?
First of all, hearing Dr. Eleanor Tupper say, “There is Endicott, and there is the outside world.” Endicott is not only a place but also a state of mind, a perspective that allows you to be effective in teaching and guiding the “whole person.” Endicott did not simply begin as a well-respected two-year college for women, but as a place and a way to broadly educate students so that they will understand the world and themselves, be able to develop knowledge and skills to be successful in their careers, and gain practical career experience through internships (and now also clinicals). The result is being an accomplished, competent professional and a committed citizen.
If you could step into a time machine and revisit your first day at Endicott, what would you tell your younger self?
You will have a wonderful experience and many pleasurable moments teaching, working with colleagues (many of whom will become your lifelong friends), and of course meeting students each semester and staying in touch with them as alums of the College.
What drives you to continue teaching and mentoring after all these years?
For me, teaching is a calling: not just a job, but a vocation. The opportunity to work with and guide students as they pursue their higher education and begin their journey to adulthood has its intrinsic rewards. You feel that you have accomplished something that is of value to others.
What do you consider your greatest accomplishment during your time at the College?
Being part of Endicott’s curriculum expansion. I was Chair of the Curriculum Committee and a member of the Bachelor’s Implementation Team Committee. This was during our transition period to a four-year institution in 1989-90. We developed the report and curriculum, such as the full semester internship, senior seminar, and capstones for our first four-year majors.
How have students changed over the years, and what has remained the same?
The student population has both changed and remained the same. Students are always eager to learn, especially when they can see the relevance to their own lives. Students truly want to understand the “whys” of things. Some changes are the result of social forces, such as the effect of Covid, as students were no longer in the classroom learning to interact with others who were often different in backgrounds. Also, the rise of social media as a source of stimulus.
Though students of more recent generations do not seem to be lonely, they seem to prefer solitude and be more inwardly directed. This cuts them off from experiences with others who might have a different perspective on the world. Thankfully, the College, through its many programs, offers necessary social interaction with other students from different backgrounds. Finally, and most importantly now, is the growing number of neurodiverse students in our classrooms. These students often see, hear, process, and walk through the social world in unique ways. This necessitates that we reevaluate our teaching content, methods, and assessments so as not to unintentionally punish them for who they are.
What lessons do you hope your students have taken away from your classes?
The major goal of teaching sociology, as with any other discipline, is to open the eyes of the student to the world through a specific perspective. In sociology, that perspective is what C. Wright Mills labeled the “sociological imagination.” That is, teaching students to learn, observe, and evaluate the social forces that influence oneself and others.
Do you live by any piece of advice or motto?
I think that we all find that the Golden Rule is the best guidance for our relations with others.
Who has had the biggest influence on your life, and what did you learn from them?
First of all, my parents would have to be singled out. Their generation came out of the Great Depression and we lived in the post-war recession. As a lower-middle-class family, we had some economic challenges. But my parents worked hard and taught us to develop strong ties to family and friends, to share with and care for others, to value learning and education, and an appreciation of the diversity in our neighborhood.
My undergraduate sociology teachers at Boston College were great role models; devoted to the value of the discipline of sociology in helping individuals better understand the underlying social forces influencing society, and, based on the Catholic tradition and Jesuit values, bring social justice to all people. They were committed to effective teaching and sincere caring for all of their students.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to a new faculty member just starting their journey at Endicott?
Have love of your discipline (students feed off of your excitement), love teaching (students sense when you do and don’t), and see the students as a whole person. Let them know that you “have their back.” Research has demonstrated the importance of this. Finally, remember you will find yourself frustrated or against the wall at times. That is good. It means that you do care about your teaching and do care for your students.
What legacy do you hope to leave at 亚洲色吧, and how do you want to be remembered by the community?
As is true with all of us here at the College, we would like to be seen as committed to Endicott and its mission, being dedicated to teaching and working with students, and always being there to help when we can.