I first met Paul Lasley, now professor and chair of sociology and anthropology, on a campus visit with my parents. Paul was the only professor my father had a chance to meet before his death months later. Lasley's third floor East Hall office was filled with farm tools, some antique and some just old. Behind him on the wall was a large black and white photo of two impoverished children, barefoot before a barn with chipped white paint. I honestly don't remember what we talked about. I just remember that photo. And how Lasley made us laugh. His laugh filled the room and spilled down the hall. It was the first time that day my parents and I really laughed. We felt so much more at ease the rest of our visit. To see professors as people was an important lesson for me.