reaches out, on campus and in the community
June Conway, Associate Professor in the Department of Construction-Management and Family & Consumer Sciences, earned her Ph.D. from Texas Women's University and her Post Doctoral Work in Gerontology (Certificate from ULM). She began working at ULM in 1979.
I was born and raised in Baton Rouge. My father came to the U.S. from Russia when he was four, and my maternal grandparents were from France.
I have always loved learning. As a child, I played teacher with my dolls. The offer to teach subject matter I loved was what attracted me to ULM. I also thought I would enjoy using my creativity in the classroom.
As a child, I laid out floor plans, using my pick-up sticks for the walls. I have always loved houses and the things that go in them. I always advise my students to remember what brought them joy when they were young---what they longed to do for hours---and then make a career out of it. As I age, I enjoy studying about how important environment is to aging individuals. We have a great opportunity to improve today's elderly housing choices. I am very multi-disciplinary; I teach interior design, personal and family management, and housing the elderly.
When I'm really letting students know who I am and what I've learned about life, I see every eye in the classroom engaged with mine. It is then that I feel particularly fortunate to teach at ULM and be a part of young lives.
I never would have attemped getting my doctorate without the encouragement from my department head, Dr. Ann Kapp, many years ago. She supported me and helped me in every way possible. I especially remember walking across the stage as a single mom with my daughters cheering my success. What a "coincidence" that the place that I have shared lessons and experiences would also be the place that nudged me to pursue more education for myself!
Over the years, I have tried to involve students in community projects in and out of classes. They have worked with the Council on Aging, the Knights of Columbus, the YWCA of Monroe, the Institute of Gerontology, the American Heart Association, and the Monroe Mayor's office. They have also used many individuals in the community as clients in their studio classes. Working with others instills the importance of using knowledge to benefit others and gives students valuable skills in building rapport, leadership and professionalism.
Celebrations recognizing student successes, such as graduation and the Scholar's Mass, allow me to witness the growth of students on our campus. When I see former students and they thank me for teaching them something that has made a difference in their lives, I know that my career choice was a worthwhile one.
Students themselves have made a difference in my life. When I divorced, they gave me flowers, cards, books, and concerned inquiries. They healed me with kindness.
There's not enough free time to do all that I enjoy: helping others, gardening, cooking, painting, dancing, reading, sewing, flower arrangements and, of course, decorating. I'm really quite domestic! My mother, older sisters and several outstanding aunts were responsible for my varied interests in the arts.
So much of our campus is beautiful. I particularly like the area between the Administration Building and the ULM Library. There's always so much energy; all the students are talking, visiting, laughing and making the memories of their college years.
I would want my students to remember that absolutely nothing is wasted in their lives. The failures and the triumphs have profound gifts to teach; they only need to look for them.
I started working with women in prison many years ago. It has taught me so much about life, things I would not have learned any other way. I experience unexpected surprises when I reach out and do something that I never thought I'd do.