A Career Mirroring USF’s Growth
When Marvin Karlins was a freshman at the University of Minnesota in 1959, another freshman walked into his folk singing class and asked what it was about. "He wasn’t great, but he played guitar," Karlins said. "His voice was very gravelly. Actually, if you would have all the people I taught, I would have probably said he was the one least likely to ever go anywhere."
A few weeks later, Karlins decided to set aside trying to make it as a folk singer and focus on academia. The student asked if there was anywhere else he could continue lessons. Karlins recommended a nearby coffeehouse, where the student started performing before moving to New York. There, the student did OK for himself under a freshly adopted name: Bob Dylan.
"The guy’s a genius," said Karlins, whose picture now hangs in the Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. "He just went out there and he did it. He really did. Very proud of that man. He captured a whole essence of an era."
A Career Spanning 50 Years
Karlins, now 83, has spent 50 years at USF as its longest-serving full professor. After Dylan, he estimates he may have taught up to 90,000 students over the years. When he arrived at USF in 1974, some nearby roads had only recently been paved. The buildings were sparse, and the campus was covered with sand spurs he’d often encounter when he ran five to 10 miles a day.
Teaching Through Change
Karlins has seen many things change over the years. Tampa, once seen as a retirement community, now has a thriving business scene. He now delivers large lectures through a computer from his home, though he still prefers face-to-face interactions with students.
He finds the students themselves different, he said. "I think people have gotten a little bit soft," he said. "I think they get a little bit entitled. And I’m not excluding myself from this. I think, as a nation, I think that whenever, when anything happens, we’re always looking to blame somebody for it."
A New Venture
Karlins, who guesses he may be one of few registered Republicans on faculty, said Florida’s governor "has been trying to destroy our tenure," which he sees as a basic part of academia and academic freedom. He’s currently working on a new venture – becoming a poker professional. He’s taken part in international championships and is a regular known as "the Duckman," for his T-shirts that say "the flying duckman" and duck call he uses when twos are played. He’s also faculty advisor to USF’s poker club.
Reflections and Advice
Karlins hopes to keep teaching until he can’t. "Every year that I teach, it’s another opportunity to influence somebody, and maybe in a positive manner," he said. "The one thing that I really love about young people is the energy. It energizes me, when you when you see people at that stage — remember now, we’re talking about, what, at least 60 years of age difference? It really does. I might not be able to go run 10 miles a day anymore, but intellectually, and I feel like I’m in my 30s still."
Conclusion
Marvin Karlins’ career has mirrored the growth of USF, spanning 50 years and teaching up to 90,000 students. As he continues to teach and explore new ventures, he reflects on the changes he’s seen in higher education and the importance of staying humble. "It’s just hard to say what will finally happen," he said. "I do believe that universities will be held more accountable. I think professors will be held more accountable. I do believe we are pushing more and more towards having universities be based on a business model."
FAQs
Q: How did Marvin Karlins’ career at USF begin?
A: Karlins started at USF in 1974, when some nearby roads had only recently been paved. He was tasked with developing how USF offers mass lectures, teaching classes of up to 400.
Q: What is Marvin Karlins’ current role at USF?
A: Karlins is a professor of Information Systems and Decision Sciences in the College of Business Administration at USF.
Q: What is Marvin Karlins’ new venture?
A: Karlins is working on becoming a professional poker player, known as "the Duckman," and is a regular in international championships. He’s also faculty advisor to USF’s poker club.
Q: What does Marvin Karlins hope to achieve in his teaching career?
A: Karlins hopes to continue teaching until he can’t, influencing students and staying engaged with the next generation.
