6 minute read
The man behind the Hawaiian shirt
Meet Joe Calhoun
By Caroline Murkey
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Hawaiian shirts featuring bright colors mixed in with action shots of people surfing or of calming seascapes and flora are usually worn by tourists on vacation who don’t mind drawing attention to themselves.
However, in the Principles of Microeconomics class at FSU Valencia in summer 2019, the Hawaiian shirt was worn by the instructor and self-proclaimed introvert, Dr. Joe Calhoun, while teaching about foreign exchange rates and other economics-related topics.
Economics can be a daunting subject to many people. The concept of money alone can be a source of stress for lots of people, even without getting graded on their knowledge of it.
But not for Calhoun. Though he started off as a business major, Calhoun soon turned to economics and finance while at Illinois State University. After this change, it seemed like a puzzle piece had fit right into place, and Calhoun knew what he wanted to focus on. Even though he double-majored in economics and finance, economics was his true passion.
Calhoun says.
After graduating from Illinois State, Calhoun continued on to DePaul University in Chicago, where he earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA). While at DePaul, Calhoun came to understand what he really wanted to do with his life: teach economics.
The college level was where he wanted to teach; therefore, as it was explained to him by his advisor, he needed to get a Ph.D. in economics. So, after gaining his MBA from DePaul, Calhoun headed down south to the University of Georgia, where he earned his Ph.D. in economics. After a brief, part-time position with the University of Georgia, Calhoun was hired at Florida State University 15 years ago. He has been at Florida State ever since.
“I feel valued, I feel like I’m doing a good job, and my students affirm that I run my class pretty well,” Calhoun says. “I just enjoy it.”
In summer 2019’s second session, Calhoun was teaching two courses—Principles of Microeconomics and Principles of Macroeconomics—in Valencia, Spain with FSU’s International Programs (IP).
He describes his teaching style as very interactive.
“Dr. Calhoun does a great job making the class more collaborative and hands on despite it being a standard textbook class,” says Megan Blankenship, a student in Calhoun’s Valencia microeconomics class. “He really gives the students a chance to ask questions and participate in class.”
In Tallahassee, Calhoun usually teaches classes of around 500 students, whereas in Valencia it’s closer to 10 or 15 students.
“I’m having students lead us through the chapter in terms of giving us what the overall structure is, kind of giving us an outline, defining the key terms and just giving me their impression of the chapter,” Calhoun says.
Students appreciated the collaborative approach.
“[Calhoun] makes sure that his students are understanding and participating with the class the entire time,” says Lia Dealvarez, another student in Calhoun’s Valencia microeconomics class. “[He] tries and succeeds at making the class very enjoyable.”
Speaking of success, Calhoun has won numerous teaching awards, including an Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award from the University of Georgia, two Undergraduate Teaching Awards from Florida State University (2008 and 2016), and the Service Excellence Award for Teaching from Phi Eta Sigma at FSU (three times).
Besides having won many awards, Calhoun is known by students in Valencia and in Tallahassee for his signature Hawaiian shirts, which he wears to almost every class.
After a dear friend died, Calhoun was given 15 to 20 Hawaiian shirts by his late friend’s wife, who wanted him to have them.
“So I said ‘OK, I am going take on this new way of dressing, and I am going to wear Hawaiian shirts on a regular basis,” Calhoun says. “So now I have started to purchase my own, and so when I travel abroad I try and get one or two just as a nice memory, again as another story to tell in class.”
He also uses them to tie topics like foreign exchange into class.
“So I can say, ‘Hey, today we are talking about foreign exchange, and I happen to be wearing my Hawaiian shirt that I bought in Valencia with euros,’ and it allows me to kind of have fun with students,” Calhoun says.
Joe Calhoun teaching his Principles of Microeconomics class in Valencia. He has won two FSU Undergraduate Teaching Awards.
Photos by Caroline Murkey
In addition to wearing Hawaiian shirts in memory of his friend, Calhoun mentions that his pastor likes Hawaiian shirts as well. Calhoun defines himself as a Christian, specifically Anglican. He acknowledges that being Christian is a big part of his and his family’s life, as they are all part of St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Tallahassee.
“I am Christian all the time, and I like that to come through in my words, my thoughts, and my behavior,” he says, “so I like to act as consistently as possible.”
Calhoun is easy to talk to. His demeanor is welcoming and easygoing but also professional and respectful. He talks in a straightforward manner and knows how to get his point across.
It’s not hard to understand why he is so highly regarded by teachers and students alike. His friendly but respectful demeanor results in a very likeable person who can teach economics like no one else.
If students were to take his class, they would have to work hard but they would have their instructor in their corner, rooting them on.
“I can tell he truly cares about his students,” says Connor Ryan, another of Calhoun’s microeconomics students in Valencia. “He wants to get to know his students and really shows his determination for his students’ success.”
Blankenship also appreciates Calhoun and his teaching style.
“I love that in this class I’m still given the opportunity to have a say … and have in depth discussions about the subject,” she says.
When teaching in Valencia, Calhoun takes his family, which consists of his wife, Kimberly, and his four daughters: Tayla, Savannah, Kendra Miriam, and Lucy. As a family, they enjoy exploring Valencia by going to different restaurants or taking long strolls through the Spanish streets. Calhoun describes feeling a sense of community when he sits outside of a restaurant among other people of Valencia.
Calhoun says that one of his favorite things about Valencia is that you can walk virtually everywhere. In Tallahassee, like other suburban U.S. cities, walking is sometimes a good option, but for the most part it is easier to drive to get around.
However, in Valencia, more often than not, it is much easier and more pleasant to get around by walking than by public transportation or driving.
In addition to teaching in Valencia, Calhoun has also taught at FSU’s campuses in Florence, Italy and in London.
Calhoun says.
Yet even though Calhoun loves teaching abroad, he doesn’t think that he could ever teach in Valencia permanently. “I don’t know if I could live outside of the United States,” he says. “I’m in love with America, and I really am a homebody at heart.”
Despite being a self-described homebody, one thing that Calhoun made very clear was his admiration for study abroad. He thinks it’s one of the most important things that students can do in college.
“I just think it’s hugely important for their personal maturity and development, their educational maturity and development,” Calhoun says.
