“Nothing matches Hawk Hill!” These words, said by Richard George, Ph.D., professor of food marketing, underscore George’s long-term dedication as a teacher at Saint Joseph’s University. George, who earned his undergraduate degree at St. Joe’s in 1967 and then went on to receive his MBA at Harvard University, returned to St. Joe’s after being asked to teach as an adjunct. He has since stayed at Hawk Hill for 40 years, or, as he put it, “When did we discover electricity? That’s how long I’ve been here”.

George has taught a number of classes within the food marketing department of the Haub School of Business, including Food Marketing Strategy, Foodservice Marketing, and a course on transition, which he described as, “a course I started a number of years ago for seniors transitioning into the work world. We’ve had a financial planner come in, as well as a life coach. I think the students have found it to be very helpful.”

George served as student body president during his time at St. Joe’s. His work as an undergrad, coupled with his years teaching as a professor, has allowed George to develop a 53 year relationship with the university. This longstanding relationship is one of which George is most proud. He estimated the number of students he has taught to range somewhere between 8,000 and 10,000, and insists that it has been a privilege to teach each group of students he encounters. “My role [as a teacher] is simple: help these young men and women become very successful. And they pay me to do it!”

When asked why he felt he should advance in our Top Prof Bracket, George stated, “I can’t say [that] I’m better than anybody else. I have too many respected colleagues, and you could’ve given any of the 64 chosen professors or the full faculty including the adjuncts a lottery number and you would’ve had a Top Prof with whoever won.”

It is evident that George has loved nothing more than teaching the students of St. Joe’s, and as a retiree, it can be assumed that the student body will look for his presence on campus. Students will certainly embody the personal philosophy that George ingrains into each of his classes: “Be your best in whatever you do and the outcome will take care of itself.”