Two professors gave their last lectures Wednesday night at Lush Auditorium in Kildee Hall. They still plan on teaching, though.

Charles Dobbs, executive assistant to the president and professor of history, and Barbara Mack, associate professor of journalism and mass communication, presented the lectures during the Mortar Board National Honor Society’s Last Lecture series.

The Last Lecture series is an annual series conducted to give select faculty members the opportunity to speak as if they were given one last chance to speak before an audience. Tera Lawson, vice president of Mortar Board, explained the choice of this year’s speakers.

“They can give phenomenal speeches. They have very dynamic personalities,” said Lawson, senior in journalism and mass communication.

Charles Dobbs’ final plea was for everyone to enjoy work, whatever it may be.

“I hope you’ve had a chance to work with somebody with a passion for their work,” he said.

Dobbs said his love of history led him to teaching and that everyone should have a love for their work. He joked about his love of the History Channel to the audience of more than thirty.

“I don’t watch the History Channel – I live it. I’ve seen the same footage of D-Day for 40 years and I don’t get tired of it,” Dobbs said.

In addition to work, Dobbs spoke of chess, cooking, raising his daughter on history and the importance of the film “Casablanca.”

As his time drew short, Dobbs summed up his thoughts.

“I don’t care what hobby you have – just do it with passion. I have great passion for teaching and if you don’t stop me, I’ll just keep going,” he said.

Mack’s final speech was a bit more serious, though also entertaining.

“Giving a last lecture is indeed scary. There have been times that I’ve been close, so I’ve thought about it a bit,” she said.

Mack said she went through college in two and a half years and law school in another two and a half, getting about eight years’ worth of classes into five.

Two types of students worry Mack: those who drift through classes and those who rush.

“Part of my message is to slow down,” she said.

Mack said even negative emotions are important in life.

“Embrace everything that you have and are, and don’t be afraid of pain. Pain is probably a better teacher than joy, because the lessons last longer,” she said.

Pride in your work is another key virtue to have, Mack said, as are not pushing personal limits and being able to ask for help.

“Learn to say `no’ honestly and effectively,” she said. “Learn to ask for help – you’ll be surprised. It doesn’t make you any less a person to ask for help in a crisis.”

Lawson was impressed by both Mack’s and Dobb’s lectures. “They played off each other very well. We couldn’t have planned it any better.”