He Asked the Right Questions - Dr. Robert Brooks (’64) Remembers Professor John Bauer

Psychology Professor John Bauer from the 1964 Lexicon.

Robert Brooks (’64) today.

It’s important to remind ourselves of the power that a few well-chosen words can have to alter the course of someone’s life. I’ve experienced it many times over, with no instance being more powerful than a conversation I had with a professor during my Baruch/City College undergraduate years. Psychology Professor John Bauer—his words forever changed the path I took in life.

I was an economics major—this was my second major. As an upper junior, I needed to take a course in the social sciences. I had heard from friends that Dr. Bauer’s introductory psychology class was excellent, featuring lively discussions that touched both the hearts and minds of students. I enrolled in his course and was immediately impressed by his love of the subject, his ability to challenge students in a nonjudgmental manner, his obvious enjoyment of teaching, and his accessibility to students. He made the subject matter exciting and relevant. Throughout the semester, I looked forward to the readings he assigned and to participating in his class.

At the end of the semester, I questioned whether I wanted to remain an economics major or switch to psychology. Such a shift would require me to stay in college beyond my original graduation date in order to take all of my psychology requirements. In addition, I wasn’t certain if my attraction to psychology was based primarily on John’s teaching style and/or the field. (After I graduated, John insisted that I refer to him by his first name, so I will do so for the rest of this article.) Since John always made himself available to students, I went to see him. I shared my thoughts about possibly changing majors, explaining that I was trying to sort out why I was drawn to psychology.

Not every professor would have taken the amount of time to do what John did. In reflecting upon my questions, he said, “I’m not certain what is drawing you to psychology, so why don’t we talk about it. If you have time now, we can go out for lunch.” I eagerly responded that I had the time, and John took me to a restaurant near the college. We sat and talked for more than two hours. Although I must admit that there was a part of me that wanted John to make the decision for me, instead he asked questions—questions that I have not forgotten more than 40 years later.

John asked me to place myself in the future and envision being either an economist or a psychologist and what seemed most appealing to me. Although we joked about my being uncertain of the activities of an economist (even though I had taken 24 credits of economics courses) and even less certain of all that a psychologist did after having only one course, I told him that based on his description of the various activities in which he was engaged (teaching, consulting, therapy), I was drawn more to psychology than economics.

Then I told him that I was concerned about changing majors this late in my college career and remaining in school beyond my original graduation date. He asked how much difference one year would make if it meant finding something about which I was passionate. We discussed being willing to take risks. John talked about individuals he had seen in therapy who felt trapped, having gone into careers that brought them little satisfaction but were afraid to take new paths in life.

Even before we left the restaurant, I knew that I was going to switch my major to psychology. I told John what I planned to do. He smiled and said, “Bob, I think you will be a wonderful psychologist and enjoy being one.” I thanked him. I did not realize at that moment the ways in which our two-hour lunch had transformed my life.

Well, John was right: I have loved my career as a psychologist. Needless to say, we remained close friends for years. He invited me to speak at my first national conference as a panel member of a workshop he had planned. He died almost 20 years ago.

I often wonder what might have happened to me had John not invited a somewhat anxious undergraduate student to join him for lunch. Because of him, I have always attempted to make myself available to others.

Editor’s Note: One of the most popular faculty members from the 1960s, Dr. John Bauer was a professor and chair in the Department of Psychology. During his 30-year academic career, he received numerous awards. Bauer earned a bachelor’s degree from City College, a master’s degree from Boston University, and a doctorate from New York University. He died in 1984 at the age of 63. His memory is perpetuated at the College with the John Bauer Scholarship, awarded to a student who demonstrates Bauer’s personal characteristics and qualities of “leadership, unselfish devotion to the service of others, compassion, candor, courage and strength of conviction.”

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