‘Hot’ professor of the week: Professor Elavsky

This week, we have something different.

Since it has been quite tiring scrolling through ‘Rate My Professor’ only to find lots professors with chili pepper ratings, but that weren’t really even that hot… I went to the public instead.

Here’s our first hot professor, based solely on the word of students, not from RMP.

Meet Professor Charles Evalsky.

I mean, how could he not receive the chili pepper rating with that face? C’mon guys.

Professor Elavsky has been teaching at Penn State for 10 years now and is a Communications professor. He is most well known for teaching Comm 110: Media and Democracy. He also rotates around with international communications courses.

In response to my endearing email to him that basically said, “Hi, you’re hot, but RMP doesn’t say you are. But anyway, want to be interviewed anyway?” he said:

“Well, I have been called many things but hot has never… never been one of them (to my knowledge). And to the point, I am technically NOT according to RMP. At first I thought your email was spam, but I checked out the Tab (and your work) and after having seen the profile of my colleague and friend Jinger from Kines, well, I guess I am game. Even if I stand holding the consolation pepper. Appreciate the nod nonetheless I suppose (at my age). Let me know what you need.”

That’s the spirit, prof.

First, we have to ask for the curious students…. Are you married?

Yes – a married father of three.

So, you’re our first “hot professor” who was not given the chili pepper rating… but nevertheless, how do you feel about being honored in the ‘hot professor’ category?

Like I said, it’s a consolation pepper…. I am not really hot… it’s odd to consider it. To me, it’s not something that I’ve heard too frequently.

Do people still even use Rate My Professor? I don’t even know what my situation is on there anymore. But, to even be asked to be interviewed is nice.

Do you read your reviews on ‘Rate My Professors’? Would you have even known if you had the chili pepper?

When it first came out I read it – I was curious. I teach a class about democracy so hearing the student voice is important. But, it’s more of place where people either really like you or hate you. In the beginning I was interested, now not too often.

Have you ever been hit on by students before or heard of students referring to you as “hot”?

Never…

I will tell you though, that I taught in Europe when I was younger and the relationships between students and teachers are different. There, it is not uncommon to go out for beer with students. But here… I’ve just heard that they like class and what they’ve learned but no… (not that I’m hot)… that’s pretty gross.

(My question: Why aren’t we in Europe?)

**This was around the time he told me that he could hear the embarrassment in my voice as I asked him about his hotness and relationships with students. But seriously, you guys try interviewing some intimidating good-looking professors literally about how hot they are.

Have you heard of some students taking a class based on the hotness of a professor?

Yeah I’ve overheard male students talking about female professors as… eye candy. I think it’s mostly guys. I don’t hear it too often, mostly just overheard in the beginning of class. I can see how maybe a female professor could be offended, but it’s a reality – we all judge each other.

Back when you were in school, do you think it would have been easier to sit in class if the professor was easier on the eyes?

For me… that wasn’t a value. It’s more about people who can teach me stuff, not about people I can hook up with.

Do you think the chili pepper rating is a good feature to have on the site? Do you think it’s offensive?  

I think its playful… it’s a site for you all. It’s just you guys talking on your terms. It’s unfiltered and if that’s a measure you find necessary – that’s fine. Ultimately, it’s not offensive. But as an old guy…. It’s just kind of unusual.

But lets be clear… I don’t have a chili pepper. Why was I even chosen again?

So, do you think we should petition to get you the chili pepper? You know, get the word out?

You know… you can, but I won’t be any part of that. It’s your site so do what you like.

I appreciate being asked to interview – it’s always interesting to know. Again, I’m still the consolation chili pepper but what the heck!

@themeganbailey