An ISU professor’s career ended with a whirl Thursday.

Doug Yarger, professor of geological and atmospheric sciences, gave his final lecture as the third of six speakers in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences’ master teacher program.

Along with other master teacher honorees, Yarger was selected for his success in implementing technology in the classroom. His lecture, “Using Technology to Create Learning Environments,” was held in 1140 Howe Hall and addressed about 80 members of the ISU community.

Yarger addressed the need for faculty to change their teaching methods by using new tools.

“In fact, you’re going to see some phenomenal tools today,” he said.

Audience members were able to be placed in the middle of a virtual reality tornado, an idea which Yarger had thought of years ago. He said Kevin Meinert, graduate student in electrical and computer engineering, Rex Heer, graphic designer for the Industrial Technology Center and Bill Gallus, assistant professor of geological and atmospheric sciences, made the project a reality.

“Fortunately, we have really talented people,” he said.

Yarger, who retired in December, has been teaching for free since then, but said he made Thursday his final day of classes.

The decision to end his work in the classroom mid-semester rested on his commitment to family, he said.

“I decided that several years ago that I needed to think about my priorities, and now I’m at a place where my family’s priorities are more important than these other things,” he said.

Also, Yarger said he wanted to leave at a time when the doctoral students researching his course had adequate information.

“I wanted to get far enough so that [students] had enough data, and they do, so now it’s okay,” he said.

Classes will be in good hands, as another faculty member will take over using lectures he has prepared for the rest of the semester, he said.

Yarger said he was anxious about giving his final lecture at Iowa State.

“I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I’d be,” he said. “I didn’t cry.”

Leslie Pease, graduate student in curriculum and instruction, said she enjoyed Yarger’s lecture.

“I’m biased, but I thought it was great,” she said, “I think he said a lot of things that needed to be said.”

Pease said she has never been instructed by Yarger in the classroom, but has been his research assistant for the last two years.

While working with him, she learned many things, including the importance in “improving science education and using technology available to do that.”