ABSTRACT
The purpose of this chapter is to examine the teachings of Clifford Madsen through the eyes of his former students. Through interviews with 26 of his former doctoral students, acquaintances, wife, and children, a qualitative study emerged that highlights Clifford’s legacy. Ten themes based on the analysis and reconciliation process were revealed. Former students shared that Dr. Madsen fostered a love of learning in his students and a research mindset that encouraged curiosity and discovery. He loved his students, was generous with his time, and urged those around him to be independent and make their own decisions. The most common lessons learned were values such as love, kindness, and generosity; and the ways in which time influences our lives, including productivity, focus of attention, and the frequency and magnitude of experiences. These lessons encouraged his students to establish their own personal values, increase their awareness of time, and make choices for themselves. Because he taught his students to transfer knowledge, his students gained the necessary skills to become independent. The emergent themes in this study revealed that Clifford Madsen prioritized fostering a love of learning over delivering specific academic content. His ultimate goal was to empower individuals so that they were able to pursue their own personal goals.
