Students have proven William “Ted” Cotton as one of the most respected professors by making him the first speaker for the Last Lecture Series to be chosen by vote.
The series, which is hosted by the University Honors Program, is based on the lecture given by the late Carnegie Mellon University professor Randy Pausch to his students upon receiving news of his terminal pancreatic cancer. The professor giving the lecture answers the question “If it were your last chance to give a lecture to students, what would you say?”
Cotton is the former Director of the University Honors Program, a current faculty moderator of “The Reader’s Response,” a recipient of the Dux Academicus Award, a co-founder of the New Orleans Fencing Academy and professor emeritus of English.
Cotton gave a look into the works that have influenced him throughout his life March 21.
His lecture touched on many subjects such as waking up, love and nonsense. The lecture included works from Shakespeare, John Milton and George Orwell whose works he said have inspired him throughout his life.
“What I tried to do is put together something that would show people the way a mind can be stimulated,” Cotton said.
According to John Sebastian, English professor and director of the University Honors Program, Cotton is notorious for his demanding classes such as Ancient Epic.
“Surviving that course has become a rite of passage for all the students he has terrified over the years,” Sebastian said.
Philosophy senior Nick Courney agreed.
“There was a whole mythology built up around him before I had even entered the classroom,” Courtney said.
Some of Cotton’s students said they see him as more than just a teacher.
“Dr. Cotton is someone who’s very tough, but he’s also very kind,” said English junior Danny Garrett. “I was sick during a class and had to go home and he actually called my house to check on me.”
Cotton does not plan on giving his actual final lecture anytime soon.
“I just haven’t felt ready to withdraw from the life of the university,” he said
English senior Nathaneal Thacker cut short a visit to grad school in order to introduce Cotton for his lecture.
“Nate probably knows me and better understands me more than any other student,” Cotton said. “It’s extremely flattering.”
Christopher Wiseman, associate vice president for Development, has met many of Cotton’s former students.
“People have better lives because of this man,” he said.
Sam Winstrom can be reached at
