Francis X. Steiner

Biography

I’ve always loved everything that has to do with science. My favorite courses throughout my education involved microbiology, biochemistry, and cell biology. I like the motto of Louis Pasteur: “In the field of observation… chance favors the prepared mind.” My goal as a teacher is to try to provide enough accurate and current information for students to not just learn but to apply their knowledge to what they will encounter in the future. I believe that the purpose of higher education is to give students enough information to formulate a worldview of their own, one that includes all areas of knowledge, not just specific areas in which they are interested.

I love to teach and have been told by several people during the course of my life that I’m good at it and seem to enjoy it. I’ve had the opportunity to do so since I was a graduate student, and I’ve been teaching at Hillsdale for over 30 years now. I try to encourage my students to “take charge” of their own education; the individualized attention that students receive at Hillsdale is good, but more importantly, everyone who teaches here wants to teach and generally has a strong desire that students understand the material and become critical thinkers themselves.

Aside from teaching, my principle pastimes are playing the acoustic guitar, singing and songwriting, fly fishing, and playing tennis. My family life is also very important to me. My wife and I have been married over 40 years; we have two children who have given us four grandchildren.