Learning to live and learn

TIFFIN — Tracy Stark, who has been a psychology professor at Heidelberg University for over 20 years, will retire at the conclusion of the 2024-25 academic year. Before commencement, she delivered her "last lecture" titled "Three Things: Lessons on Learner, Learning, and Living," reflecting on her career and sharing timeless lessons. Stark is recognized as a "Southparkologist" — a world class expert on the television series South Park. She also served as the advisor of Sigma Tau Nu fraternity. Stark's talk blended humor and heartfelt reflection, sharing memorable moments from her time on campus. She described her first interview at Heidelberg as "the worst day ever" and called the university "the weirdest place ever" — though, as she said, it quickly grew on her. Among the anecdotes was a lighthearted story from 2023, when during the Christmas season she cared for her injured sister. The day after her sister's surgery, Stark got a phone call that one of her sister's cats passed away, but when Dr. Stark's daughter Savannah went to take the animal to the vet, she realized it wasn't a deceased cat at all— but instead just "a furry hat." As a joke, a Dr. Julie O'Reilly later gifted Dr. Stark a hat emblazoned with the phrase "This is not a dead cat," a memento that captures her warmth and humor. In another anecdote, Stark recounted an influential story about the late Dr. Kate Brady, a beloved ethics professor and personal mentor. Stark continued, sharing that she remembers Brady as an Icon who was "challenging, controversial, and provocative" and someone who would likely be considered too bold today. In an anecdote from Stark's first convocation at Heidelberg, Brady began her speech by stating to the crowd "I'm going to tell you three things, starting with number two: If you want to succeed at Heidelberg you are going to have to think." In the anecdote, Brady continued– sharing that if students have succeeded with number two, then they don't need to hear number one or number three. Stark jokingly shared that unlike her friend Kate, she did have three things to talk about in her lecture. Reflecting on her time at Heidelberg, Dr. Stark shared "I never felt like much of an intellect, but my love of young people and the joy of watching them grapple with difficult concepts has always kept me going." She continued, stressing that success in both learning and life depends on being open to new experiences and ideas, whether it's technology, new theories, or different ways of thinking. "You can't do anything unless you do the work, and learning can be fun!" she emphasized. Stark also shared insights from psychology, touching on the Just-World Theory and the Fundamental Attribution Error– concepts that explain why people often misjudge others and how assumptions can limit empathy and happiness. "Bad things happen all the time, to good and bad people," said Stark. "Judging others keeps us from seeing solutions, but if you don't assume the worst, you are happier." One of the most profound lessons she offered was on coping with loss. "The longer you live, the more you will be defined by how you handle loss," Dr. Stark said. She highlighted the importance of grieving with the support of loved ones and advised, "Live well, love deeply, and learn to let go." Referencing the Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh, Stark asked, "In the end, the only question is, 'How much did you love?'" Dr. Marc O'Reilly, Professor of Political Science and longtime colleague, praised her dedication to students: "Tracy has truly been a scholar servant in the best sense of that term. She's deeply devoted to her students and always goes the extra step—no matter what it may be." Since joining Heidelberg's faculty in 2004, Dr. Stark has touched the lives of countless students and colleagues alike. She has led summer courses abroad, served as Faculty Representative to the Ohio Athletic Conference for over 15 years, and earned prestigious awards including the 2019-20 Jane Frost Kalnow Professorship in the Humanities and the 2023-24 Faculty Service Award.