From Deseret News archives:
Jones puts passion into politics
He teaches political science and American government at the University of Utah, which is dry stuff until Jones gets a hold of it. This guy is good. He's so good that students, after taking his class, routinely change their majors to political science or go directly from his classroom to the office of the poly sci department to sign up for volunteer political work.
"Happens all the time," says senior Bryson Morgan, a former student aide for Jones who works at the university's Hinckley Institute of Politics.
Just stand back and watch the man work a classroom. He delivers spellbinding lectures. No, that's the wrong word. He struts up and down the aisles of the classroom, delivering orations on the Constitution, the judiciary, the executive branch, the Bill of Rights, current political issues, whatever.
"It's the complete show," says Morgan.
Without looking at a note, he talks for nearly an hour, informing, commentating, questioning, quoting the Founding Fathers, recalling events, dates and statistics from memory.
After teaching for more than 40 years, he could mail it in, but he's still as passionate as a politician on the stump and as current as the day's newspaper. "There isn't one subject that I cover in American government that bores me," he says. "I learn something all the time."
Jones comes off as a little gruff, but don't let him fool you. He's a softy. His class sizes range from 40 to 100, but he doesn't miss much in there. He often calls students if they are absent. And after class he might say something like this to his T.A.: "The young man on the third row, second from the right, was having a bad day. Something's wrong. Get his number so I can call him."
"That was common," says Morgan. "Sometimes he would find out (from the student) that someone was ill, or there was a divorce or there was some personal problems."
The 72-year-old Jones recently became the first person to receive the Civic, Character and Service Learning Award, which is a long way of saying he's a great teacher. He was honored because he has "inspired so many students," said state Sen. Karen Hale, D-Salt Lake.
Comments
- Mormon Media Monitor 11:06 p.m.
- Woman, 98, accused of murder 11:05 p.m.
- WSU geared up for SUU 11:04 p.m.
- U.S., Japan reach flight pact 11:03 p.m.
- Draft proposal reached on climate 11:02 p.m.
- World datelines 11:02 p.m.
- U.N. official to step down 11:01 p.m.
- Troop reductions in Iraq on track 11:00 p.m.
- Oil-field auction in Iraq 11:00 p.m.
- Pope will write letter to Irish 11:00 p.m.
- Letters: Global warming a lie
277 - BYU football: Bronco weighs in on Hall
195 - Palin signs books, chats with fans
169 - Andersen apologizes for Jordan hoax
143 - Nude bathers cited for lewdness
138 - Max Hall wants to look ahead
130 - Jazz fall apart late at L.A.
110 - LDS to emphasize helping needy
107 - Revive full food tax?
106 - Panel passes BCS playoff bill
105
David Rankin, one of Utah's youngest and ablest astrophotographers has...
There was a time when free shipping was rare. This holiday season, you...
Can you tell I just got out of a budget meeting with Gov Gary Herbert?
Historically, Christmas Day was but one of 365 days in the Christian...
I am a die-hard Utah fan. I hate absolutely everything abou BYU. But i will...
I agree with The Truth....Having been around Coach Cleveland in Provo and...
Ask the Utah Food Bank what % of the donations and volunteers are from the...
The Jazz are a good team and will play some good games. Right now that is the...
It was incredible, the sound was phenomenal, and Natalie's story about...
Again, you're wrong. BYU was the only undefeated team left in 1984. At the...
Selective memory | 4:50 a.m. Speaking of "Selective Memory"!!!!...
Sounds impressive, there is a good chance I will show up there sometime with...
And the IRS will audit the tax funded cell phones to make sure they are only...



You can be the first to comment on this story.