Judson professor spells out his teaching style in new memoir

After nearly 40 years of secrecy, longtime Judson University professor Stuart Ryder now finally tells students just why they didn't earn that "A."

Ryder's recently published memoir, "Why didn't I get an A?" spells out his philosophy for teaching and living.

"I suppose, if I were to critique my own effort, I'd give it a B-plus," said Ryder, a professor of language and linguistics. "I imagine I could have done better."

Ryder, 78, has taught and coached cross country at Judson since 1969. Retiring from the classroom in 2003, he now works as an academic liaison for Judson's athletics program.

The book, he said, "basically covers my experience as a professor at Judson. Everyone who's been in high school or college has asked that question. Usually, it was a student who earned an A-minus."

A self-described, demanding professor, Ryder said his definition of an "A" involved not imagining a student doing any better. "With that classification there couldn't be too many 'A's," he said.

With a bachelor's, master's and Ph.D. from Yale University, Ryder was asked from time to time why he didn't move on to a more prestigious institution.

"I stayed because of my interaction with the students," he said

Living nearby the Elgin campus' dormitories for 20 years, Ryder could be often seen walking his cat.

"My cat was very friendly. She has a whole chapter in the book. Very often I'd establish a relationship with a student who said 'I've never seen anybody walking a cat before,' " he said.

The first 100 copies of the book were given, by Ryder, as a gift to Judson's advancement office.

He refuses to make anyone "pay" for the book.

"If they wish to own a copy, they can donate a minimum of $25 to the Edgar Boss Scholarship Fund," he said.

A sequel, Ryder revealed, may come in the future. For now, he's focused on setting up a Web site that includes episodes and tales from his years at Judson "that I might have included but didn't."

He's hoping this will give students the impetus to tell some of their own stories.

"Sort of like a blog," he said, "that would bring in more alumni stories."