Today’s Memorable Farewell Function for Retiring Professors
@ MCC | Soulful Parting Thoughts
21st April 2025 | Anderson Hall
The Farewell Function for Retiring Staff is such a solemn and ceremonial affair in Madras Christian College.
MCC has always gone that extra mile when it comes to hosting the ceremonial farewell for her retiring staff members. Indeed, the farewell function day starts right in the morning, and goes on up until late into the evening, sometimes even up to 11 pm and beyond!
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| Our Former Professors - Our Treasure! |
Today was host to yet another time of departing -
Of our beloved retiring staff members. Ten of them are retiring this year. A huge loss for MCC indeed!
Well, bidding adieu to the wonderful colleagues, to the blissful flora and fauna of the woods, to the beloved students, and to the heavenly ambience of the sylvan Campus, can indeed evoke a range of emotions.
At the same time, a farewell function such as this, provides a lovely supportive space where such retiring professors (who have for decades dedicated their lives to the service of the student community), are given their ‘last lecture as Professor’ moment, to share their valuable thoughts, their ‘institutional memories’, and their parting words of advice for their juniors.
I would like to quote excerpts from Dr. Paul Prabhu Santharaj’s speech today. It was such an amazing talk much-needed for all of us academics!
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| Dr. Paul Prabhu on Song... |
Just excerpts –
A few years ago, there was a junior faculty member who was scolding a student. She told him, ‘After all, you are a student, and you are speaking like this!’
Never ever say like that, he admonished.
They’re not ‘After all’, here.
They are our bosses. (ejamaan)
We are here as their servants. (velaikaarar)
If you have such a negative perception of the student of mind, where you say, ‘After all, you’re a student… you are not fit to teach in MCC. Please go elsewhere… and find yourself a job’, he said.
Teaching is not a job!
Teaching
is not a responsibility!
It’s
a way of life! (athu oru vaalkkai murai)
Only those who are loving and caring are really qualified to be teachers!
Love is the foundation!
If you have an issue with a colleague, don’t write to the Principal. Go straight to the person and talk to them. There’s nothing like unto love.
Anything in this world can be achieved through love.
Speak to them directly. Smile at them.
In our college, as far as I know, we don’t go by might is right! We always go by what is right!
Dr. Paul Prabhu also thanked a whole list of loving souls, who had supported him and believed in him during his stint in MCC right from his student days.
He ended on a lovely note, saying –
I don’t know if I can claim to be intelligent!
I don’t know if I can claim to be a good researcher!
But I can claim with all humility, that
I was a good teacher!!!
he signed off!
More to follow…. The function is still on…
List of Retiring Professors
1. Dr. Paul Prabhu Santharaj, HoD, Tamil
2. Dr. P. Gopalakrishnan, Associate Prof, Sanskrit
3. Dr. S. D. Christopher Chandran, HoD, Pol. Science
4. Dr. V. Jacquiline, HoD, Economics
5. Dr. Tamilarasi, HoD, Commerce
6. Dr. Florence John, Associate Professor, Commerce
7. Dr. T. Robinson, HoD, Mathematics
8. Prof. A. Jyothi Salomi, Associate Professor,
Mathematics
9. Dr. P. Samuel Asirvatham, HoD, Physics
10. Prof. Leslie Lawrence, Assistant Professor, Botany
Our Dearest Professors,
May your next chapter be filled with captivating narratives, mesmerizing stories, unforgettable characters, and plot twists that leave you breathless in the most delightful ways. Until our paths cross again in the vast library of life, happy reading and may your own story continue to unfold beautifully!
Viva la MCC!
PS:
You may want to watch yet another memorable Farewell Speech given by Dr. Miriam
Samuel, last year same time in MCC, HERE
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