E³

By Phillip L. Cardon
Associate Professor

I was born the second of two fraternal twin boys in Moab, Utah 8 days after the New Year’s celebration ushering in the year 1966. Being a baker, my father was very surprised to learn that he had twin boys to take care of, in addition to a two-year-old daughter. Although my father believed in hard work and being honest to a fault, he also believed that a good education is the best way to a good career. I received my first job at the age of 6 delivering leaflets to houses in our neighborhood. This led to a newspaper delivery job, then to a bell hop position at a local hotel, and then to a restaurant as a cook. In every employment position, I tried to listen to my employers and do my best work with the most Enthusiasm possible.

When I finally graduated from high school, one of my mentors told me to go to college. He said, “A smart boy like you needs to get as much Education as possible. Remember son, there is no such thing as too much Education!” Since I did not want to end up in a dead-end job in Moab, Utah, I took my mentor’s advice and went to college.

My first college was Rick’s College, a two-year private college in Rexburg, Idaho. After initially declaring engineering as my major, I changed to Automotive Engineering Technology because of my love for automobiles. During my stay at Rick’s College, I served as the Rick’s College Automotive Club President, and helped to establish the Rick’s College Rod Run Car Show. When my first two years were over, I became engaged to my lovely wife, Yuko Sasaki. Since she was still in her first year of college, I went back to school and obtained two more Associates degrees, in Industrial Education and Automotive Small Business Management. Initially, I planned to open a small automotive repair shop. But after graduating with highest honors, I was encouraged to get more education.

After my wife graduated from Rick’s College, we transferred to Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. During my stay there, I helped to establish the Council for Automotive Technology Society (CATS) club. We performed community service and earned money to attend conferences. When I completed my education at Weber State University, I was hired as a Corporate Intern at Toyota Motor Sales, USA in Torrance, California. My wife and I moved there, where I worked for two years. At that time, I began exploring the idea of teaching for a living. So I left Toyota and went to Utah State University where my wife obtained her BFA, and where I went to get some courses in preparation for teaching.

I remember attending a special presentation by the actor McLean Stevenson at Utah State University in 1995. I loved MASH, and had to see him speak. During the question and answer session, I asked him what his advice would be to future actors. He said, “Never let your success go to your head, or it will destroy your career! That goes for anyone in any career!” I have never forgotten this.

Then I was accepted into Brigham Young University’s Master’s of Science in Technology Education. This program did not give me a teaching certificate, but it did provide opportunities for me to teach undergraduate students, which I thoroughly loved. After graduating from BYU, my wife convinced me that I should go on to get a doctorate degree.

So we went to Columbus, Ohio where I went to The Ohio State University and obtained a doctorate in Education. While I was there, I taught many courses, and served as the president of the Council of Graduate Students. My dissertation focused on how at-risk high school students viewed technology education courses. It was during this experience that I learned the importance of Empathy. I could relate to these at-risk students, because I was in a small town in Utah in a very poor family. I could have been one of these at-risk students.

I still remember the day of my oral exams at OSU. One of my committee members’ cars broke down, so she called me and asked for a ride to the oral exam. I was nervous enough as it was without her coming with us. My wife knew how nervous I was, so she offered to drive us to school. When we got to the building, I remember my wife asking my committee member, “Please, oh please don’t fail my husband!” My committee member kept her promise.

After completing my doctoral degree, I was hired at Eastern Michigan University as an Assistant Professor in Technology Education. I believe that this was a good move for me. EMU is a school where I can work with Enthusiasm for the students, help others to obtain as much Education as possible, and show Empathy to students and faculty when necessary.