A Conversation With...
Dr. Ross Purdy

Q: Where did you grow up and how did you get here, (A&M-CC)?

A: I came to Texas A & M University -Corpus Christi because I needed a job and they were offering one at the time. In Fall of 1976, from Snohomish, Washington. I received both my Masters degree and Ph. D from the University of Southen California.

Q: What motivates you and has helped you become who you are today?

A: I have various things that motivate me. Probably pride more than anything else does; at times, hunger, (he smiles). Lots of what I do, I do because I like it.

Q: What makes you passionate about your field and teaching students?

A: My passion lies in a combination of things. I really enjoy teaching the core classes to about two hundred (200) students. It’s what keeps me passionate plus it’s such a wonderful challenge.

Q: What course(s) are your favorite to teach?

A: It depends on my mood I suspect. Sometimes my favorite is the big introductory class; other times it is the population course.

Q: What co-curricular activities are you involved in, and how can students become involved with you in those activities?

A: As far as co-curricular activities, I am the faculty advisor for the National Alpha Kappa Delta Society, which is an honor society. A lot of our students in this group are married with children. They are people who do not have a lot of time to spend on school activities. There are occasional academic projects where it is fun to have a student work with me.

Q: Outside of TAMUCC, what extracurricular activities are you involved in; what do you do for fun?

A: Sail! I love sailing. I spend my summers sailing as much as possible.

Q: Who inspired you the most or had the greatest impact during your collegiate experience which directed you to your field of study?

A: Sandford Laboritz, a teacher I met when I first went to graduate school. I worked for him at Washington State University in Pullman. Then, he went to USC and I followed Labortiz there. Just by working with him , I know I saw the world in a lot of the same ways. He challenged me the way I like best.

Q: What is your greatest achievement and whom do you attribute this to?

A: I suppose my daughter and my wife. My daughter is a terrific kid. She is graduating from medical school. Actually, she has a Ph.D in philosophy but decided she didn’t want to do research all the time. She wanted to do “people” stuff. She wanted to help people, so now she’s a doctor.

Q: What question does the study of Sociology attempt to answer?

A: How it got to be like this?

Q: Wouldn’t be caught dead wearing?

A: A blue dress.