This week we meet Professor Ben Nourse a visiting assistant professor in the Religious Studies Department. He came to DU three years ago and is currently a candidate for a Buddhism tenured-track position at DU.

Professor Nourse teaches courses such as Religions of Tibet, Buddhism in the U.S.A and a Freshman Seminar (FSEM) called Buddhist Meditation. Nourse says that he has enjoyed every course that he has taught, but the FSEM he instructed this past fall holds a special place in his heart.

Professor Nourse grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana and moved to attend school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for his undergraduate studies in Chinese literature and politics. After his undergrad, he was not certain about what he wanted to do with his degree, so he moved to Seattle and became a farmer. Nourse worked at a vegetable farm and sold the produce at the world famous Pike Place Market.

After moving around Southeast Asia and working various jobs such as being a middle school teacher, working at a shipping company and even doing lawn work for DU’s sororities and fraternities, he decided to go back to school. Professor Nourse then attended the University of Virginia where he earned his M.A and Ph.D in religious studies.

“Next time you see a farmer or a lawn worker, think to yourself, ‘Hey, they could be my professor,’” said Nourse.

Soon after graduation, Professor Nourse moved to Denver because his mom and two sisters lived here. He was familiar with DU and really liked the fact that Denver and Boulder have large Buddhist communities.

So far, his favorite memory during his time at DU was seeing the Pioneer community come together in times of political disappointment.

“There’s been so much going on within DU, Denver and the U.S. I’ve been making an effort to go to different workshops, rallies and demonstrations on campus and around town, and I’ve been really happy to see members of DU in support of one another. It’s really made me proud to be part of this supportive community,” said Nourse. “The most important thing I’ve learned while being at DU is about my privilege as a white, heterosexual male, and I think it’s always good to learn more about such important topics.”

Aside from being involved on campus, Professor Nourse enjoys reading, playing guitar, rapping, hanging out with his four-year-old daughter, cooking and baking (pies are his speciality). He has run also  two marathons and one 50k and plans to run another marathon sometime this year.

“I love hiking, camping, running and gardening—just being active outdoors,” he said.

His favorite genres of music are blues, jazz, Roots Americana, gospel, “folksy, rooty music,” Bollywood and especially hip hop.

When asked what he would tell someone if he could only tell them one thing about himself, he responded, “I just want to be your friend. I’m a friendly guy. Also, I’m Margaret’s dad—that’s the most important part about my identity right now.”