Eric Hendrix: English Instructor and Entrepreneur
By Colinda Petrus
Fresh fish
Eric Hendrix answers my questions about his experiences
at Western Carolina University while portioning a fresh piece
of salmon for his customers. Most of my inquiries are generic
in nature, but Eric does not give bland answers. He is eloquent
in his descriptions, even when I ask about the origins of
the beautiful filet on his chopping block.
Hendrix owns Eric’s Fresh Fish Market in downtown Sylva,
opened two days a week. It has become a welcome addition to
the community, since fresh fish was hard to find locally before
Hendrix opened his store. In addition to operating his fish
market, Hendrix is also an English professor at Western Carolina
University.
Hendrix majored in English here at Western Carolina University
and now teaches four English 102 classes. When he first began
attending Western Carolina University in 2001, at the age
of 47, he wanted to obtain a degree in Middle School Education,
with a minor in Spanish. His desire was to spend time with
students and help guide them in the right direction.
Writing is the most important skill in the workplace
After much consideration, Hendrix eventually decided to
change his major. The reason was that he was a non-traditional
student. Hendrix found communicating with his classmates to
be difficult. Adapting to the atmosphere of the education
program, where most of the other students were the same age
as his children, was not as rewarding as he had hoped.
Hendrix’s response when I asked what drove him to major
in English: “T.S. Elliot, T.S. Elliot.” Hendrix
also mentions how important an English major or minor is:
“Students should look into English as a major if they
are undecided. It is fundamental to every discipline. Writing
is the most important skill in the workplace. Whoever takes
writing into an interview will get the job.”
Continue to strive
When you speak with Hendrix, it is apparent that he is eager
to remain flexible and to adapt accordingly. For example,
he told me that he served in the United States Army for four
years, where he was stationed in Germany. He owned and operated
the four original Mi Casa Mexican restaurants in Franklin,
North Carolina, worked as an interior painter, and was a news
director for KWKI Radio in Kansas City, Missouri.
Hendrix’s previous work experiences make him a role
model for those of us who may become unhappy or complacent
with our current situation. We can use his life examples to
continue to strive for whatever we wish to do with our lives,
even when it requires going back to college at a non-traditional
age.
Note: As of Fall 2009, Eric Hendrix has resigned his
teaching position to devote himself to his fresh fish market.
|
