It’s the beginning of another school year and things are still hectic with students rushing to their classes and attempting to squeeze in cat naps. With everything students are trying to juggle in life, it’s easy to dismiss the people who stand at the front of class. It’s easy to forget that professors have lives outside of lecture.

Trying to encourage students to dissect information, engage in lecture and pretend they don’t see sleeping students, professors are often overlooked and underutilized by a large percentage of the student population. This is especially true here at the UW, where class sizes can reach over 700 students.

Pepper Schwartz, a professor of sociology, is familiar with teaching large classes and the barriers that can come with going to a large university. After receiving her collection of degrees — a B.A. and Master’s from Washington University in St. Louis and a Master’s and Ph.D. from Yale University — coming to the UW was a bit of a shock.

“[You see] a sea of people and can’t really get to know them,” said Schwartz. “I think a lot of students are intimidated, which is understanding. But connections get made, especially if they try.”

Despite this, Schwartz is able to keep students interested, receiving an award in 2007 for Outstanding Teacher in the Social Sciences and Most Engaging Lecturer.

“[I] use a lot of humor, make jokes or get research studies people find interesting,” said Schwartz. “[I do] anything I can to break up lecture or engage emotions and intellect.”

Teaching topics on sociology of sexuality, family and relationships, Schwartz jokes, “If I can’t get people interested in that, [then] woe is me.”

Originally planning on pursuing journalism or law, Schwartz fell into teaching by chance.

“It is a little unnerving,” she said. “You go from student to professor and learn how to organize lecture ... [what is] too much, too little. [It] sort of takes you over organically — you do it long enough and become it.”

Getting to know professors isn’t as difficult or scary as it may seem. Going to office hours or sending e-mails allows students to profit more from the class and build connections for graduate school and perhaps even for later careers.

Schwartz is the author of about 14 books, with one in the works, as well as countless academic and non-academic articles. She wrote monthly columns such as “Sex and Health” for Glamour Magazine with co-author Dr. Janet Lever and a dating column for The Daily with Erin Hicks, a student who sought out Schwartz. Outside of the UW, Schwartz is the relationship expert for Perfectmatch.com and designed the matching system for the site.

“It’s really fun, I really enjoy it,” said Schwartz. “I think we are animals that want to cuddle. [We] do best in our lives when we are loved or have love to give.”x

Schwartz also maintains a horse ranch — a childhood dream, that sometimes sponsors corporate team-building or hosts kindergarten classes.

“I’m a big believer in living out your passions and fantasies,” she said. “Sometimes they don’t work out but they certainly wouldn’t if you don’t try ... life is organic.”

Reach reporter Doris Wu at news@dailyuw.com.