Media Credit: Marina Hare
By Marina Hare;
Mosaic Staff Writer–
Tom Flanagan is a renowned professor, proud veteran, caring grandfather, and devout Mickey Mouse fan. Flanagan has been a part of the Salve Regina University community for 31 years. He is currently teaching Business Ethics and Management of Organizational Behavior.
Relax Flanagan starts his day between 4 and 5 in the morning, with his wife Lucile and a cup of hot coffee. Free time is “spent doing grandfather things”, which include driving, going to the movies with his littlest guy and watching games with his five grandchildren, says Flanagan.
When he’s not reading papers and grading tests, Flanagan prefers to read mysteries and detective stories – “something that doesn’t take a lot of brain power to read” says Flanagan. He adds that classical music is his tune of choice because it is calming and cooling.
Work Flanagan received his associate(’58), bachelor(’60), and master’s(’67) degree at Boston University and served in the United States Army for 22 years, retiring as colonel, before starting his career at Salve in 1982. According to Flanagan, the army was the “greatest experience in a lifetime”, where he explored the world, met his wife in France and had his son and daughter across seas. As his children were finishing up high school, Flanagan was ordered to command a brigade in Washington but said it was time to “do something for the benefit of the kids” and chose to settle down.
Inspiration Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse can be seen throughout Flanagan’s office and even around his neck on countless ties every day. The Disney character symbolizes what life is all about according to Flanagan. “Mickey always has a smile on his face, because Mickey’s been doing a job he likes since he was born,” he says.
Flanagan encourages his students to love their job, to learn something about everybody, and to always have dreams – qualities that Disney embraces as well.
Professor Flanagan has made an amazing impact on hundreds of students over the past 30 years and his daily lessons are taught to understand the levels of a business and the many meanings of life.
