Michael Booker, associate dean of humanities at Jefferson College, will retire at the end of June after 25 years with the school.
Booker, 62, of Barnhart said he has enjoyed his time at the college working as a professor and an associate dean.
“I always wanted to be a teacher at a community college setting,” he said. “I like the way we change the lives of people who come to us. There’s so much good we can do. I’m very proud of Jefferson College.”
Booker began teaching philosophy at Jefferson College in 1999. He became the college’s divisional coordinator of communication and fine arts in 2013. From 2013 to 2018, he was the college’s division chair of communication and fine arts. In 2018 he became the associate dean of humanities.
He said he enjoyed his time with students in the classroom the most.
“For the last 11 years, I’ve been associate dean of humanities, but the highlight of my day has been teaching,” he said. “It’s being in front of the students. It brings me joy.”
Booker said one of the biggest changes at Jefferson College during his time there has been the college offering college-credit courses to high school students.
“As an institution, we are changing our focus to do a lot of work with high school students,” he said. “I think for these students, we are making much better use of their time.”
Booker also has participated in numerous Jefferson College theater productions.
“I’ve been in 21 plays at the college,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed working with the theater department. I would like to continue working with them.”
Before joining the faculty at Jefferson College, he worked as adjunct instructor of philosophy at Roane State Community College in Harriman, Tenn., from 1993 to 1999. From 1989 to 1990 and 1993 to 1999, he worked as adjunct professor of philosophy at Pellissippi State Community College in Knoxville. In 1991, he was an assistant professor of philosophy at Minnesta State University at Mankato.
Booker earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations with minors in French and philosophy from Minnesota State University at Mankato in 1982; a master’s in philosophy from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 1987; and a doctorate from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 1990. He also completed some graduate coursework in educational administration at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 2018.
He served in the Tennessee Army National Guard from 1985-1995 and in the U.S. Army Reserve from 2001-2012, retiring from the military as a lieutenant colonel.
Jefferson College President Dena McCaffrey praised Booker for the way he has supported students.
“Michael takes so much pride in the creativity of our students and faculty, as can be seen by his presence at nearly every play, musical performance and art reception,” she said. “In fact, I cannot remember a time where Michael has not attended a student event. We will miss his unwavering support of the arts at Jefferson College.”
Booker and his wife, Anne Christianson, have two sons, Jonathan and Timothy.
He said wife and sons went to Jefferson College.
“All three of my family members are Jefferson College graduates,” he said.
He said he intends to remain active after retiring.
“I’m going to travel. I’ve always traveled. I went to Israel last year,” he said. “There’s lots of writing I haven’t had time for.”
He said he and his wife have no plans to move out of Jefferson County.
“I’ve got a house in Barnhart that I love,” Booker said.