Dr.

Michael Kaffer: A Love of Learning

By: Elizabeth Briggs

With empty bookshelves behind him, Michael Kaffer, Ph.D., reminisced on his
time at Spring Hill College and what the Spring Hill community means to him.
After some time in the U.S. Navy, Kaffer, also known as DeKaff or Kaf-Dog,
finished his last two years of college at Spring Hill. Shortly after graduation, he
returned to Spring Hill to teach within the English Department. Fifty-three years
later, he is now retiring. Adding to his two years as a student, Kaffer has been at
Spring Hill for 55 years, or 29.6 percent of the time that Spring Hill College has
existed, as he proudly reported.
How could one be so drawn to the intellectual life? For Kaffer, it is easy. He
reflected, I just like learning and thinking. Im a lifelong learner. I just try to apply
what I learned from being a student and teaching here to my mission to care and be
involved in this world. Kaffer has been involved in civil rights, voter registration
and anti-war protests. He said, We shouldnt just hang out on the Hill; we need to
be involved in the community.
To encourage learning, especially for those in our local community, Kaffer
created an degree program for adults to take evening classes to earn their degrees.
He said this has been one of his greatest sources of happiness during his time here.
Additionally, Kaffer has taught 12 different upper-level English courses and
even invented a couple of the courses. He said, I think the nice part about teaching
is that you can learn yourself. Its always nice when a student makes me think for
myself.

Senior Tiffany Thomas attributed many friendships to Kaffers classes. She
said, So many of the lasting friendships I have made, that have carried on from that
first freshman class, are due to Dr. Kaffer bringing us together, making us laugh and
giving us a new way to better know the books that he loves.
Beyond the classroom, Kaffer has served as advisors to The Motley and The
SpringHillian. He has co-directed the acting group, the Yenni Players, and was
inducted into the Alpha Sigma Nu Honor Society in December 2014. As an
undergraduate student at Spring Hill, he founded the Philosophy Club.
While leaving the daily life of the College, Kaffer stressed to students the key
to happiness: Do something that you love because theres more to life than money.
Take responsibility because its your life. You have to be your own person; you have
to find your own way.

In speaking of the lasting impression Kaffer has made at Spring Hill, senior
Alyssa Fontela stated, His legacy spans much longer than his time at Spring Hill. He
has the remarkable ability to leave a lasting impression on students whether it's by
cracking a joke, challenging them with new material, or showing he's truly invested
in their futures. Quite simply - his students are his life, the people he inspires and
draws inspiration from. Blessed doesn't even begin to cover how we feel about
having him as a mentor."
To honor this mentor and lifelong learner, the Lucey Administration 391
classroom will be dedicated to Kaffer on Friday, April 17 at 4:00 p.m. Kaffer and

other retirees will be honored and thanked for their dedication to Spring Hill on
Saturday, April 18 at 5:30 p.m. at the Java City Courtyard.
How will Kaffer occupy his time when he no longer teaches? He will read,
continue to learn, and use his Master Gardener certification to expand his garden.
He also plans to return as an adjunct professor in the future. However, Kaffer joked
that you may see him use his free time as a greeter at Wal-Mart.
Wherever Kaffer ends up, he always has a home among the students and
faculty at Spring Hill College.