2008 Woodie Awards
SRU history professor sounds off on all things from deserts to audio equipment
By Colin McGuire
Rocket Life/A&E Editor
Issue date: 2/4/05 Section: Life
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"I am an audio file," Pearcy said. "I have been collecting audio equipment for as long as I can remember. If it wasn't for teaching, I know I would be dealing audio equipment for a living. I still even give it some serious thought now and again. I love it. I'm a freak."
With such a love for audio, it goes without saying that Pearcy is an avid fan of music, a lifelong passion he shares with his family, especially his wife Shauna.
"I love music," he said. "My wife is a great musician. She can play the violin, guitar and piano; almost anything. Her mother taught her, and she teaches our kids. It's great because I was never able to learn how to play a musical instrument. My son is a great guitar player already."
When this history professor isn't worrying about his musical and audio adventures, he is occupied with more history-like hobbies, like teaching and writing books. Over his career, Pearcy has written five books, taught in numerous countries, and even designed the first department website on campus at Brigham Young University, located in Utah, where he began his teaching.
"I really enjoy teaching," he said. "In some way or another I will probably always be teaching, even after I retire. I started at BYU, but they wanted to make me an administrator and an administrator I am not, so my wife and I decided we wanted to move closer to where we were from, Frankfurt, Ind. Plus the classes were too big. In some classes, I was teaching over 900 kids. I like to be able to teach in a more personal way. That's why I like teaching here so much. I can talk to all of my students and it just seems more personal."
Pearcy said he received a lot of offers, but the best one for him came from Slippery Rock. Among other things, he liked the location.
"I love things about this place that I know a lot of other people hate," he said. "A lot of people hate the fact that there isn't much to do here, but I love it. I love the environment and the relaxation."
Though he may yearn for life in a small town atmosphere, that in no way means Pearcy has not lived an intriguing life. For example, Pearcy once lived with a Native American tribe called the Cuna Indians during a period of his life.
