EMPLOYEE PROFILE

Name: Joan Elizabeth Easterly

Title: Professor of French

Major responsibilities: The French program, a 2007 student trip to France, the Pellissippi State French Film Festival and film studies classes.

Length of service at the College: I started as an adjunct faculty member in English in 1986.

Place of birth: I was born in Chattanooga, educated in Nashville and live in Knoxville—
I’m a Tennessee woman!
Family members: Husband, Clay—senior scientist, ORNL; son, Elliott—environmental chemical analyst in San Francisco; daughter, Evangeline—senior research technician (breast cancer) at Johns-Hopkins University in Baltimore; daughter, Elizabeth—sophomore at Elon University, North Carolina (my last hope for a non-scientist in the family).

Something no one knows about you: I had a horse named Amber Beauty when I was a teenager, later took riding lessons at Vanderbilt and won first place and class champion at the Vanderbilt Riding Show. Then I got thrown by a little Shetland pony when I was visiting my fiancé’s horse-loving family.

Greatest achievement or proudest moment: Observing our three children at Christmas Eve Mass performing a piece of music composed by our son for the occasion (i.e., they’re still coming home, they’re still going to church, and all those music lessons were worthwhile!).

Favorite things outside work: Edifying conversations, mystery novels, films with unexpected twists and elegant dinners.

Most rewarding part of your job: Creating new ways of helping students learn, rejoicing when they succeed and giving tests instead of taking them. Friendships with bright, hard-working, sympathetic colleagues are a major benefit.

Most influential person in your life and why: My husband, Clay. He is a man of faith, integrity and good taste. He also cooks.

Favorite quote: “Serve God sincerely, and do what is pleasing to him.”—Tobit 14:8