UK professor was ‘born to run’ large classes

Professor of Psychology Dr. Jonathan Golding poses for a portrait at his office in Kastle Hall in Lexington, Ky. on Tuesday, August 25, 2015. Photo by Michael Reaves | Staff.

Professor of Psychology Dr. Jonathan Golding poses for a portrait at his office in Kastle Hall in Lexington, Ky. on Tuesday, August 25, 2015. Photo by Michael Reaves | Staff.

By Cheyene Miller

cmiller@kykernel.com

Most college professors begin the first day of class by introducing themselves to their students or telling them what kind of assignments they’ll be working on during the semester. But for UK psychology professor Jonathan Golding, the first day of class begins with the sound of New Jersey-born music legend Bruce Springsteen.

“I love music — I know students like it, and I think it lets students sort of see that I have a connection with them,” said Golding, who has been teaching at UK for his entire 28-year teaching career.

Originally from Philadelphia, Pa., Golding first found his love for psychology in high school, which led him to get a degree and become a professor.

“The idea of how we think and behave and why we do it, it’s fascinating,” Golding said.

Golding and his wife chose UK and Lexington because they felt it was a great place to live and raise a family.

“It’s a great place to grow up and be,” Golding said of Lexington, and that he was interested in UK because of his love for sports.

That passion has been reciprocated, as UK sports figures like men’s basketball coach John Calipari and women’s basketball coach Matthew Mitchell have visited Golding’s classes in past years to speak to students.

Golding’s primary research interest during his career has focused on how juries react to different types of abuse, like rape and child molestation, and how they treat the victims.

But what Golding is arguably most known for among UK students is beginning classes with a song, usually a music video for students to see.

Golding said he has always started classes with music because it “calms everybody down” and “makes people feel better.” He said in large classes it helps cue the beginning of lecture so students know it’s time to pull out their notes.

“You want things to be calm because it’s kind of an odd experience being in there with all those people at the same time,” Golding said.

Golding, who can be found at the Johnson Center working out every morning at 6 a.m. to keep his body and mind conditioned, said he does everything to make sure students get the most out his classes no matter what the size.

“It’s something I feel I’m good at … I’m always trying to think of new things to do in class, and I really enjoy it,” Golding said. “That’s always a goal of mine, to make that big class feel smaller. You can have a really great experience in a large class.”

A devout Springsteen fan, Golding always plays Springsteen’s signature song “Born to Run” on the first day of class.

“He’ll be the first song, as is my tradition on the first day of class,” Golding said. “I’m ready to go, I’m all set for tomorrow.”

 

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