'Apple' winner gives ideal last lecture

Economics Prof. Jim Adams was presented the Golden Apple award yesterday in the Rackham Auditorium by a person he referred to as the "grim reaper."

Adams called LSA sophomore Heidi Lubin, chair of Students Honoring Outstanding University Teaching, the "grim reaper" because of the finality associated with the Golden Apple lecture, called the "ideal last lecture."

But this grim reaper didn't carry a scythe - she carried a small golden trophy that she presented to Adams for excellence in undergraduate teaching.

In his lecture, titled "Beginnings of the End," Adams chose to give the audience a glimpse into his life outside the classroom.

"In a way, it was hard to give because it was intensely personal," he said. "In the classroom, I try to be very objective to encourage discussion."

JOHN KRAFT/Daily Golden Apple winner Jim Adams, a professor of economics, shows off his trophy and framed poster last night in the Rackham Auditorium before he gave his ideal last lecture.

Adams detailed his life from when he was a student at Harvard University until today, with two sons now in college.

Adams' lecture honored the people who have influenced his life. He began his talk by describing environmental law Prof. Joe Sax, a good friend and squash partner.

Sax helped Adams develop an interest in his current field of study, industrial organization.

"By confronting rather than avoiding his discomforting opinion, I developed a new sense of excitement about industrial organization," Adams said.

Adams also lectured about his interest in the European economy. He spent a year in France with his family - a time he called "magical."

"By the time I began traveling to Europe with my wife, I knew France better than the United States, and I spoke French fluently," Adams said.

Both of Adams' sons, Matthew and Zachary, were influenced by the year the family spent in Aix-en-Provence. Matthew acquired a fleeting French accent, and Zachary mixed French and English together in his speech.

The link between beer and the economy was another topic of Adams' speech. Although Adams said he prefers French wine, he spoke about the tariffs between Germany and the Dutch in 1968.

"As a result, even though many people in this room might be prepared to swear on a stack of six-packs that Heineken makes a pretty good beer, the Dutch brewer could not necessarily sell its brew legally in Germany," Adams said.

Adams discussed his admiration for some of the previous Golden Apple winners who were in attendance for the lecture.

"Being placed with professors I admire such as Sidney Fine, Ralph Williams and Eric Mann is a tremendous honor," Adams said. "I also think its especially important since the students choose the award."

Williams, who won the award in 1992, said he enjoyed the personal nature of Adams' lecture.

"I thought it was deeply interesting to the extent that he reflected on the formation of his own mind," Williams said.

That more intimate look at Adams through his lecture was of interest to most of his students, but some in attendance said they did not appreciate it as much.

"I thought it was pretty interesting, but I thought it was a little pompous," said LSA first-year student Amanda Hultin, who has never had a class with Adams. "He seemed to be bragging."

Other students said they like the personal touch of his last lecture.

"I thought it was cool that it was personal," said LSA senior Jeffrey Baker, who took an economics class with Adams.

"I think he's extremely bright and I enjoyed figuring more out about his experiences and philosophies."

04-07-98