By At the end of the 2024 spring semester, Carroll College will say goodbye to one of its long-time professors, Dean Pavlakis, an associate professor of history.
Pavlakis was born in Buffalo, New York, and lived there until he moved to New England for college. He majored in history and economics after what he calls “a false start in chemistry.” He earned his undergraduate degree at Harvard University and his master’s in management at Yale University. He used the latter to embark on a career in banking.
However, Carroll College students know him best as an esteemed history teacher. That is because after 24 years of working in the banking industry, he decided to rededicate his time and effort to history.
“It was really a matter of coming back home, coming back to history,” said Pavlakis. “I’ve had my passion for history since I was a little kid. I devoured history books as a small child, many of which I still remember.”
Pavlakis earned his master’s and doctorate at the State University of New York at Buffalo.
“I finished the master’s program in spring of 2000. Then that July, my wife and I were invited to a birthday celebration picnic,” said Pavlakis.
At the picnic, Pavlakis met the chair of the history department who suggested an evening teaching position to Pavlakis.
“My parents were both teachers, so I gave it a try and I really liked it,” said Pavlakis.
Pavlakis is now associate professor of history and dean of the faculty at Carroll College. He has been teaching here for 10 years.
“I applied to 46 jobs and the Carroll College job came up, seeking someone that could teach modern Europe and modern Africa history.”
Pavlakis was perfect for that position.
During his time in the history department, Pavlakis has been instrumental in coordinating the department’s first newsletter.
“I’m hoping that can last into the future,” said Pavlakis. “We have also done a bunch of historical panels…for instance, the two that we did for the war in Ukraine. And we also had a Holocaust speaker.”
Jeanette Fregulia, associate professor and chair of the history department, said that the history of Russia and the history of humanitarianism are classes that were added to the curriculum upon his suggestion.
“Some of his administrative skills from his previous profession in banking, he has brought into the history department at Carroll,” said Fregulia. “He’s been part of rethinking the curriculum in a way that better suits our students’ needs.”
Amongst Carroll students, Pavlakis is known for his enthusiasm for teaching.
“It turns out I was made for doing this,” Pavlakis said. “In my last banking job, there were people that referred to me as a professor. The idea of conveying how certain facts work to people gives me joy.”
To Pavlakis, it’s important for people to think historically, which his students appreciate. Sareena Murnane, a junior majoring in international relations, said Pavlakis’ passion for teaching shows in class.
“It’s one of my favorite classes I’ve ever taken,” said Murname. “He really helps you see history from a realistic perspective, as if you were there when it was happening.”
Finlay Bates, a Carroll senior studying political science and international relations who has taken several classes with Pavlakis, described him as “an incredible asset to Carroll College.”
“Pavlakis brings a depth of knowledge of European and African history that I have never seen out of anyone ever before,” Bates said. “He is so knowledgeable that everyone is surprised at the few times in class when he refuses to answer a question because he lacks an answer.”
Bates also said that Pavlakis has taught him lessons to carry for life.
“He has helped teach me to remain more organized, fix my grammar (he’s a stickler for that), and always taught me that if I am committing my time to something, I might as well be prepared for it.”
In addition to enjoying history and teaching, Pavlakis is also a music lover.
“I play the flute. I used to play the bassoon. Music has always been very important to me,” he said.
Pavlakis is a member of the Helena Symphony Chorale.
In his spare time, he and Pam go to the Myrna Loy to watch films or to Grandstreet Theatre to watch plays. They visit the Holter Museum and hike up Mount Helena and the South Hills. They also occasionally take trips to Yellowstone and Glacier National Park.
Pavlakis said he’s not really ready to retire but that he wants to move back to Buffalo for his family.
“Our entire family, parents, all eight of our siblings, our kids, their spouses are all in New York and New England, so we are far away from everyone and that’s always been hard,” he said.
Recently becoming grandparents to four children also influenced Pavlakis’ decision.
“We said we wanted to be a part of these kids’ families,” he said. “As a grandparent, it completely changes the trajectory of your life.”
Pavlakis said that there are things he will miss about Carroll College.
“First of all, the Carroll students I’ve taught have been a delight. It is also very difficult for me to leave my colleagues. This feels like an institution worth fighting for.”
But he also has many things to look forward to in the future. He and Pam have a number of travels planned for the six months after they leave Helena. They are hoping to travel to Greece, Britain or Spain. Pavlakis said he would also like to finish a chapter he is writing on the Congo as well as other research projects.
There is no doubt that Pavlakis has been an invaluable member of the Carroll community.
“We need to remember to be kind to each other, to look at things from other people’s point of view,” he said. “We need to retain our faith in this institution and its collective power.”
His students will miss him, that is certain.
“Thank you for everything, Dr. Pavlakis,” said Bates. “There is nothing more to say.”
