Wherever Tom Carskadon goes, it's not unusual for him to hear "Hey, Dr. C." from one of his 30,000 former students.
A professor of psychology who studies personality types, he's easy to recognize by those who know him. Every day he's on campus, Carskadon wears a blue oxford button-up shirt. However, that's not why so many students look forward to taking his intro to psychology course.
A staple to most Mississippi State freshmen for decades, Carskadon's stories and colorful personality have endeared him to legions of students. Dr. C. says he has his dream job and has no intention of stopping what he loves.
"I could have retired about 15 years ago, but I'm having so much fun," he said. He finds freshmen interesting, enthusiastic, and lots of fun to teach.
With a goal of teaching the grandkids of the first students he taught, Carskadon has moved one generation closer to his goal. He already teaches their children.
Along with teaching and advising, Carskadon also directs MSU's First Year Experience program, aimed at enhancing the first semester on campus. This program allows students to enroll in a range of classes intended to engage their interests, from "Cooking Basics: Iron Chef Bully" to "Programming the iPhone."
"When people have a great time on campus, they will stick around," he said.
As for Carskadon's goals, he keeps things simple: "I want to keep finding out really cool things and keep telling my students all about them," he said.