Page 40 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2023 - Online Magazine

From Teaching to Activism:

THE LIFE OF A RETIRED TECH PROFESSOR

by Aubrie Harris

istorian. Retired professor. “In a way, it was the easiest thing
Author. Archaeology for me to get into because I had the
Henthusiast. Activist for background,” George said. “The
climate change. Family man. These other thing is I simply thought it my best experiences were when
are all titles that could be used to was important for students to get a the kids were growing up,” George
describe Dr. Edward V. George, broader look at the world than the said. He and his rambunctious
an 85-year-old retired Texas Tech here and the now.” family of five always went to Taos,
professor.
George taught at Tech for 36 years. New Mexico, during the summer.
Growing up, George lived in During his career, he had the They stayed in a ski lodge but
Buffalo, New York. He was part opportunity to travel to Belgium never for skiing. They always went
of a big family where he had 27 and Spain to study Juan Lues hiking. “Hiking around hills and
cousins. He looks back on his time Vives, an educator and philosopher valleys and seeing the ruins of old
in Buffalo fondly, especially the who grew up in Spain, then moved pueblos and churches that go back
family picnics held at a park just to Belgium during the Spanish to the 1700s was one of my favorite
outside of Buffalo. Those Sunday Inquisition. Vives was one of parts,” George said.
afternoons during the summer George’s main study focuses, and Another trip George took with his
are some of his favorite childhood he has translated a lot of his work. children during the summer was to
memories. Even though he loved During the interview, George an archaeology camp through the
living in Buffalo, one of George’s pulled out a Latin book, written Texas Archaeological Society. They
dreams was to live out west, and by Vives for Catherine of Aragon were often lucky enough to find
moving to Lubbock was his chance in 1523, and translated it aloud broken pieces of pottery or ‘fire-
to achieve that dream. He moved as easily as one would read a cracked rock’ in the area. His wife
here with his wife Cecilia George, children’s book. did not go on these ventures with
in 1971, and started teaching the him. “Cecilia has a cynical attitude
classics, with a specialty in Latin Aside from teaching and talking toward Texas archaeology,” George
texts, rhetoric, and Neo-Latin at about the classics, George loves said while laughing with his wife.
Texas Tech. to spend time with his family,
especially his children. “Some of “Cecilia would kiss us goodbye

40 Lubbock Senior Link