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Professor 'left an influence'
Henry B. Adams once said "a teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops."
For retired professor of health, physical education, recreation and sport science (HPRSS), George Serdula, this saying came into play every day of his teaching career.
Serdula passed away Oct. 26 at age 82 from Parkinson's Disease. He taught at SCSU from 1957 to 1983 and was also advisor to the nursing, medical and physical therapy students.
"Thirty years ago he wanted to get a nursing program started at SCSU," his wife Doris said. "But there weren't enough funds for it (at the time)."
George Serdula was born Jan. 17, 1920 in Midway, Ohio.
He started playing baseball as a child and according to Doris, "always had a sense of conquering and was motivated to win." In high school, he was the captain of his football team. He later attended Miskingham University, where he played football, with would be astronaut John Glenn. He also participated in boxing and track. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in biology, he went into the Army, where he was a First Lieutenant.
He later attended Ball State University in Munsee, Ind., where he received his Master's degree. He worked as a lifeguard and swimming coach. Serdula received his doctorate in health sciences at Indiana University.
Serdula taught biology and coached football at Barnesville College in Ohio as well as Ohio State University. He came to SCSU in 1957.
"George was a very quiet and gentle man," said Rod Dobey, chair of HPERSS. "He was not out to do anything to negatively affect students. He was very caring about them."
According to Doris, Serdula's goal, when teaching his students, was to give them knowledge that they could carry with them after graduation.
"He always left an influence on them," she said. "One student once said that he 'always came prepared.' George would still talk to his students even after they graduated."
Serdula's teaching style was different from most SCSU professors.
"I think (his teaching style was different) because he came and taught all the time," Doris said. "He was good at relaying the knowledge to apply in their (students') professions. George was very exact in his teaching and liked to give knowledge of the subject (he taught). George was interested in each student. He treated each of them as a individuals."
Doris also recalled a favorite memory of her late husband: the night he proposed.
"We went to a New Year's Eve party in Chicago and he brought me an Iris," Doris said. "He then got down on one knee and asked me to marry him."
The couple married on June 1, 1947. In addition to Doris, Serdula is survived by sons, Michael and John, and daughters, Jean and Mary.
"He gave our family a sense of security," Doris said. "He was always persistent and never gave up. George was a very hard worker and a devoted husband."
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