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For more information about Betsy Lugg's research and teaching, review her profile.

Elizabeth Lugg: Combining life-long passions every day

By Matt Kurnick

"Illinois State is a vibrant community across the colleges—an excellent institution and excellent atmosphere. Doors are open, we have meetings to discuss what we're doing; team teaching, working together on grants, not just working by someone but working with someone. That's not always common." — Elizabeth Lugg on the collegial atmosphere at Illinois State University

(September 16, 2008) Elizabeth Lugg, associate professor of Educational Administration and Foundations at Illinois State University, is one of the lucky ones who gets to combine two of her life-long passions every day at work.

After earning her undergraduate degree in foreign languages, with plans to teach German, Lugg decided to attend law school. It was halfway through law school that she realized her career did not have to be only teaching or only law, but that it could be a fusion of the two.

"Midway through I thought if I have to fill out one more probate form, or one more real estate form I would have died," Lugg said. "I sat down and took stock of what I liked about law. It was heavy on theory, writing, and research. I thought maybe I should go for my doctorate."

While working on her doctorate, one class in particular stood out for Lugg. "I took one in the School of Education. It was fantastic, I just loved it," Lugg said. From there Lugg pursued her doctorate in education administration. She planned on becoming a university professor. Lugg looked forward to continuing the university life but, for someone with no practical work experience, this was not as natural of a fit as it seemed.

"I was in my mid twenties and nobody took me seriously," Lugg said. "I hadn't been out in the field. I had no practical experience." So, Lugg took the advice from one of her advisors. She moved to Des Moines, Iowa, and started her own private practice where she was an attorney for the Iowa School Board Association.

After 10 years in private practice, Lugg decided to test the waters in education again. This time, each of the four applications she submitted resulted in a job offer. Lugg was hired at Penn State and later came to the Department of Educational Administration and Foundations at Illinois State. Eleven years later, it is a move she is glad she made.

"Illinois State is a vibrant community across the colleges—an excellent institution and excellent atmosphere," Lugg said. "When I was at Penn State the College of Education wasn't their focus. It was physically and metaphorically on the corner of campus. If they could have shoved us across the street they would have. Here it's on the quad, a physical representation of how important this school is to ISU. Here doors are open. We have meetings to discuss what we're doing. We're not just working by someone, we're working with someone. They just have a lot of really good folks here."

Lugg, a self-described "extremely good school lawyer" is one of those folks. Her legal background and real-world experiences enhance her teaching, research, and scholarship.

Lugg is also fortunate to consult with local schools in need of a legal advocate or a lecturer. Lugg's legal specialty is religion and education.

Recently Lugg was called upon by the administration at University High School in Normal to speak to students about student prayer. Lugg, a separationist, was pleasantly surprised by the turnout. "I thought it would be me and six geeky kids," Lugg said. "No, the auditorium was filled. We started in a classroom and it was so packed we had to move to the auditorium of the school. I was amazed." Lugg was thrilled to have her message reach that many interested students.

In the classroom Lugg's students have grown to expect intense discussions. "One time I asked, 'is there ever a time where parents are so marginal in their ideas that the state has a duty almost to force those parents to expose their kids to other views?'" Lugg recalled. "I almost got nailed to the wall."

In the spirit of the intellectual exercise that Lugg enjoys so much, she went on and challenged her students with a real-life situation. "I couldn't leave that alone," Lugg said. "I had to bring up what's been going on in El Dorado, Texas, a situation that brings to life the question that I asked. They said, ‘Oh yah, the state was right to intervene but that didn't follow what they were yelling at me about. I could see them stop and think, 'Oh?'"

Getting her students to think outside their comfort zones and take other perspectives on situations is part of the reason Lugg loves her job. "What I love to do is teach," Lugg said. "Making the students think is what's fun about teaching. I am able to combine that with picking and choosing what legal work I want to do in the field." For Lugg it's the perfect combination.