Dedicated professor motivates students

Adam Madison

Staff Writer

Professor Steve Hansen grew up at a ranch in a Patterson, California, near Modesto. His father was a rancher and his mother was a seventh grade teacher, though interestingly enough, Hansen never thought about being a teacher.

That changed when he became a teacher’s assistant at Fresno State, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in science in 1972. The same year he received his bachelor’s, he started attending UC Davis where he received his masters in physiology in 1974. He started applying for teaching positions that year and was able to get a job teaching Animal Science in the Agricultural Department. Lloyd Livingston was the dean and a UC Davis Alumni, which gave Hansen an in.

“I thought I was entering a state park,” said Hansen upon his first arrival at Shasta College.

His first few years at the college were difficult because he had to run the entire Agricultural Department. This included feeding all the animals, maintaining the grounds and teaching several classes. One of his first triumphs was when he was able to get ten computers set up for the department. And soon, his schedule became even denser, because he had to provide his own technical support. In 1980, Hansen switched his teaching focus to science.

Hansen has taught 16 different courses in the 33 years he has been at the college. He’s taught such broad ranging subjects as Farm Records and Analysis, Beef Production, Heredity and finally Physiology, which he’s currently teaching.

Hansen is the most at home teaching physiology because the nursing and science students are highly “motivated and have goals,” he says. For Hansen, it’s a better environment when the students want to be there.

Hansen recalled an old teacher he had at UC Davis when asked why he loved to teach. He said back at Davis, his professor Dr. Cupps told him that when you don’t feel “the twinge of anxiety” as you walk into class, then it’s time to retire.

Hansen still gets the excitement and anticipation each time he walks to class. On his love of the job, he says, “I really enjoy my colleagues; it’s a strong department, [and] a pleasure to come to work.”

One of his recent achievements was the addition of 30 new microscopes for the physiology lab and new electronic monitoring equipment for the nursing students. Hansen is one of the cornerstones holding up Shasta College.

He has provided students with new equipment from grant money in two completely different departments and taught 33 years worth of students.

The college and students are thankful for his contributions as an instructor and his need to see Shasta College students reach their goals. Hansen summed up his career and love for teaching by saying, “I like to see people succeed. That’s what community college is all about.”