Faculty Friday: Brian Plummer Spreads Joy by Fulfilling His Purpose
Brian Plummer, PhD, is known among students for offering words of affirmation at the end of each class, sharing wisdom and “rules to live by” at the end of the semester, and ultimately using his humor and optimism to create a lasting impact. He frequently tells them, “stay beautiful,” “you matter,” “Plummer loves ya,” and many other encouraging phrases. His role as a history and political science professor combines his passion for mentorship, storytelling, and faith in Christ.
Plummer, born and raised in Southern California, developed an interest in learning history when he was 7-years-old and his father took him to the movies, telling him they were going to watch a history film. While he was disinterested at first, Plummer became captivated by and surprised to see Raiders of the Lost Ark. From that point on, Plummer had an eagerness to discover the adventure, romance, and action that takes place in historical events.
“History tells us who we are,” he said. “It informs us of our values. Every choice we make on a daily basis—from the coffee we buy—to the music we listen to, shapes history.”
During his undergraduate years at Cal Poly Pomona, Plummer’s dedication to his studies confirmed his love for history. He looks back at his college days with fondness, as the professors he had expressed care and understanding for him as a person. As a fourth generation educator in his family, Plummer had hoped to break free from a career in teaching. While he spent a few years working in government agencies, his friends and family recognized Plummer’s talent for explaining ideas to others and encouraged him to pursue teaching. He always had a love for young adults and wanted to teach at the college level, so he returned to school for a doctorate, which he earned from Claremont Graduate University in 2011.
In May 2003, while Plummer’s father was teaching in the graduate education program at Azusa Pacific University, he connected Plummer to the Department of History and Political Science to apply for a position. He received a call two weeks before the fall semester started, asking him to teach a class from scratch. “I was woefully unprepared. I thought in order to teach you just had to be smart, but I learned that there is a lot more to it,” he said. Plummer’s first few years as a professor were formative for his career journey, as he gained confidence by listening to his students’ needs. “I used to stand in front of a podium and read from my notes, because that was all I had seen from other professors,” he said, “but one day, a student asked if I had ever thought about using PowerPoint, and by doing that it not only helped my students, but also allowed me to prepare material better.”
Plummer appreciates the enthusiasm APU students bring into the classroom. “They are generally well prepared and have a solid focus. They know what God put them on earth for and have a sense of purpose to achieve their goals,” he said. One of his favorite classes to teach is American Foreign Affairs, because it gives him the opportunity to share how Christians have influenced American policies. “Jesus calls us to be the light of the world, so we shouldn’t separate our Sunday mornings and roles in government.” Plummer strives to show students that morality matters, and our decisions form history. He also enjoys teaching California history, exploring events surrounding the gold rush, mission system, Hollywood, and the citrus industry.
For Plummer, one of the best parts of being a professor for more than 20 years has been building connections with students. “Many think that it’s the professor’s job to impart knowledge of a field, but the bigger part of our job is imparting our own life experiences onto students,” he said. Plummer hopes students find him relatable, and to show how much he cares about them as people, he takes one day every semester to share the story of how he met his wife and proposed to her. “I knew nothing about dating as a college student, and I felt like no one would love me, so I want students to feel like I understand what they are going through.”
Plummer inspires students to never underestimate their potential. “Through your intentional acts of being a godly person, you have the opportunity to shape the world around you,” he said. Through every history lesson, Plummer strives to show how the choices people made in the past influence where we are today. By placing faith at the forefront of his lessons, Plummer teaches students that God has a plan and calling for everyone. “Looking back at my college days, I view them as my godless years, but I see that rejection of faith as something I needed to go through, because I now value my walk with God more than ever.”
Plummer’s interactions with students—whether on Cougar Walk discussing “rules to live by,” or in his office telling an anecdote about the autographed books on his shelf—are a testament to God’s purpose for his life, one Plummer is grateful to fulfill. “I often think about how if I would’ve followed a self-destructive path earlier on, I wouldn’t have had an influence on even just one student today, and that student might have an impact on someone else,” he said. “If I can help other people through my job, and show students that everyone matters, whether in a small or large way, I’m grateful to have the opportunity to do that.” His commitment to spreading joy, encouragement, and enthusiasm with everyone he meets is what makes Plummer’s influence in students’ lives worthwhile.
Posted: January 12, 2024