Paul Laesecke believes in learning outside the classroom. This year the Hospitality Management professor and LLC director took his Creativity and Entrepreneurship living and learning community (LLC) students to the Cherry Creek Reservoir for an afternoon sail.
Laesecke has been sailing since he was a naval officer and decided six years ago that some lessons could be more effectively taught through exposing his students to something he loves.
“I thought about what else we could do besides entrepreneurship, and I said team building,” said Laesecke. “Having things where students are learning lessons over and above what they would in the classroom makes it an awarding experience.”
The students go in groups of five at a time. The first trip included freshman Alex Pick.
“I was skeptical of there being a lake in Colorado that we could go sailing on, but when we pulled up, I was really surprised,” said Pick. “[Professor Laesecke] was so excited about it that even though the lake was small, it was still really fun”
All of the Living and Learning Communities go on a weekend retreat, but it is not required that professors take their classes on extra trips.
Freshman Silas Collentine, also a part of the first sailing group, was enthusiastic about getting to know his professor more personally.
“It’s a way to incorporate a humanistic element into the curriculum that he teaches, and it’s also a great way to connect on an individual level with all of the students,” said Collentine. “It furthers the curriculum that we learn so he can make a personal connection with each of us.”
Laesecke uses the sailing experience to break down barriers that many other professors build up.
“The students get the boat ready to sail, and we talk when we are out on the water,” said Laesecke. “They learn something about sailing, but they also learn how teamwork takes effort.”
Out on the water, Pick also saw the experience as a way to work together.
“With sailing, there is teamwork. If it was one person it would take them a lot longer [to sail],” said Pick.
If students keep supporting the trip, then Laesecke says it will continue for future LLCs.
“It is just not sailing; you bond with the other students. I get to know you and you get to know me as more than someone who stands up and talks in front of the classroom. It’s a good place to exchange ideas about things in general,” said Laeske.
