Part of what makes Central MA so unique is its abundance of colleges and universities. And at each institution, there are professors, instructors, and coaches who go above and beyond simply dispensing academic fact inside the classroom; this special breed of educator becomes mentor, role model, and inspiration. It is these individuals whom we honor in Focus on Faculty. If you know a professor who should be featured in this section, please contact the Editor at ldean@pagioinc.com.

James Lang: Not Your Average English Professor
By Rachel Bryson-Brockmann

He’s a college professor by day, a father of five by night, and a rock star on the weekends ~ no, I’m not talking about Superman, though both men are successful at maintaining multiple roles. Though it may seem hard to believe, James Lang, Associate Professor of English at Assumption College, is just an ordinary human with an extraordinary knack for multitasking.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Lang got a Master’s Degree in English from St. Louis University in 1993. “Since grade school, I knew I wanted to be a writer,” he says. He was invited to teach at Assumption in 2000, and subsequently moved with his family from Ohio to Worcester. This year he received tenure, and he enjoys teaching at the small, liberal arts college and living in Worcester. Besides teaching courses such as Contemporary British Fiction and Postcolonial Literature, he also holds writing workshops.

Lang’s home life is nothing short of hectic: he and his wife have five children all under the age of eleven, including three-year-old twins. “They keep me very, very busy,” Lang said with a chuckle.

But wait, I said middle-aged dad AND rock star, right? It’s true ~ back in October 2006, Lang and two friends formed Hat On, Drinking Wine (www.myspace.com/hatondrinking). Lang plays piano for the band and compares their sound to the Counting Crows. They perform original songs at local festivals, coffee shops, and bars. Mostly, the trio is just plain overjoyed that they got the opportunity to carry out their childhood dreams. Lang’s next book describes his experiences as a middle-aged man pursuing his rock-star fantasy with friends.

Hold on ~ did I forget to mention that he’s also a published writer? He’s written two memoirs: one called “Life on the Tenure Track: Lessons from the First Year,” about life as a college professor, and “Learning Sickness: A Year with Crohn’s Disease,” about his year-long battle with the disease. He also writes a monthly column about teaching for The Chronicle of Higher Education and has had non-fiction writing published in news publications including the Chicago Tribune and the Boston Globe.

What’s next on his to do list? Saving the world from evil forces? I wouldn’t be surprised!!