December Retirement: Jeff Groves

The HMC community celebrated Jeffrey Groves on Dec. 12 for his longtime impact (1980s–2024) in the classroom and beyond. His career at the College was marked by significant achievements in teaching and leadership. He helped organize unique experiences, and his courses spanned various disciplines, including Middle English literature and environmental analysis. Groves played a crucial role in curricular changes and racial inclusion initiatives, leading with wisdom and empathy. Here, he reflects on his time at HMC.

Describe the most memorable teaching moments you had with students.

Early: The Shakespeare course I taught for 22 years, which, starting in 1989, included a full production every spring. Mid: Dickens, Hardy, and the Victorian Age, which I co-taught with Jim Eckert, and which took students to England every other year between 2000 and 2023. Late: Building Los Angeles, which I co-taught first with Dan Petersen and later with Char Miller (Pomona), and which took students into Los Angeles to learn about its history, infrastructure and architecture.

Why did you choose to teach at HMC? What will you miss the most?

I chose to teach at HMC because the College offered me a job at a time when jobs were scarce. Having landed here, though, I fell in love with the mission, the consortium, my colleagues (faculty and staff) and my students. I will miss the teaching most—I always loved being in the classroom, especially when the classroom was an outdoor theater, a muddy field in Dorset or a city street.

What are your retirement plans?

More time on woodworking, letterpress printing and gardening. Spending time at our vacation place on the island of Lesvos in Greece.

Fun Facts

On my mother’s side, I’m a fifth-generation Californian. I grew up around horses and mules, and my family regularly engaged in summer horse-packing trips in the Sierras. My wife and I got together when we performed in a modernized version of Hippolytus in college. I was Hippolytus, she was the goddess Artemis, and the play opened with my first line, “Artemis, daughter of Zeus, we salute you.” Still saluting.