How to Write a Eulogy for Your Lecturer - Eulogy Examples & Tips

It is strange and heavy to stand up and talk about a lecturer who shaped your thinking, graded your essays, or sat in the front row of faculty meetings. Whether you are a student, a teaching assistant, or a colleague, this guide helps you craft a clear and honest eulogy. You will get structure that works, sample scripts you can adapt, explanations for any academic terms you might not know, and practical delivery tips so you can speak with confidence.

Who this guide is for

If you were asked to speak at a memorial, graduation tribute, departmental gathering, or funeral service this article is for you. Maybe you were their advisee, a longtime student, a colleague who shared research, or an academic staff member asked to say a few words. Maybe you never spoke to them outside class but their work changed you. There are sample scripts for formal academic settings and for more personal small gatherings.

What is a eulogy

A eulogy is a short speech that honors someone who has died. It focuses on memories, influence, and character rather than a complete life history. A eulogy is different from an obituary. An obituary is a written notice that lists basic facts like date of birth, survivors, and service details. A eulogy tells a story.

Academic terms and acronyms explained

• PhD Doctor of Philosophy. This is a research degree and indicates the person completed original research and a dissertation. If your lecturer had a PhD mention it if it is relevant to the story you are telling.
• CV Curriculum vitae. This is the academic version of a resume and lists publications, positions, and education. You do not need to read a CV out loud unless the audience wants a formal career summary.
• TA Teaching assistant. This is often a graduate student who supports a lecturer by grading, leading tutorials, or holding office hours.
• Tenure A permanent academic position that provides job security and academic freedom. Not every lecturer has tenure and not every institution uses the same terms.
• Adjunct A part time or contract lecturer who teaches courses but may not have a permanent position. When you mention professional status do it with respect and accuracy.
• Office hours Scheduled times when students can drop in to ask questions. Many students remember office hours as where a class became real.

How long should a eulogy for a lecturer be

Keep it short and focused. Aim for three to six minutes. That is roughly 400 to 700 spoken words. If multiple people will speak check with the event organizer so total time stays manageable. In an academic memorial a short, well crafted tribute often feels more respectful than a long list of achievements without stories.

Before you start writing

• Talk with the department or family Ask what tone they prefer and whether they want a formal academic focus or a more personal memory driven talk.
• Gather material Ask classmates, colleagues, and former students for one memory each. Look for a few short anecdotes that show how the lecturer taught, mentored, or lived.
• Decide the focus Pick two or three themes to structure your remarks. Examples are mentorship, curiosity, humor, passion for a subject, commitment to students, or activism.
• Check facts Verify titles, preferred name, pronouns, dates, and major career milestones. Do not guess exact dates or the spelling of a journal name.

Structure that actually works

Use a simple shape so listeners can follow your story. This is especially helpful in a mixed audience with family, students, and faculty.

• Opening Say who you are and your connection to the lecturer.
• Quick life sketch Offer a sentence or two about their role at the institution and one or two defining traits.
• Anecdotes Tell one or two short stories that reveal character and impact.
• What they taught Highlight lessons they left behind that matter to students or colleagues.
• Closing Offer a short farewell line, a quote, or an invitation for a moment of reflection.

How to open

Start simple. Your opening gives the audience context and buys you a breath.

Opening examples

• Hello. I am Jess and I was in Professor Lee s seminar on modern ethics in 2018. I want to say a few words about the way she made us argue better and care harder.
• Good afternoon. My name is Omar. I worked with Dr. Patel for five years on her research team. Today I will share what I learned at the lab bench and in the hallway conversations.
• Hi everyone. I am Maya, a former student and current friend. To me Professor Gomez was first a sharp critic and then a relentless champion.

Writing a life sketch that fits an academic context

The life sketch is not a CV read aloud. Pick details that matter for your theme. Mention role, main research area, and one humanizing detail.

Life sketch templates

• [Name] was a lecturer in [department] who taught here for [years]. Their work focused on [field]. Outside the classroom they loved [hobby] and had a habit of [small human detail].
• [Name] trained as a [field] and completed their PhD at [institution]. They published on [topic] and were known for turning difficult concepts into stories everyone could follow.

Anecdotes that actually help people remember

Stories matter. Pick memories with a setup, an action, and a payoff that connects to the person s values.

Good anecdote examples

• Professor Allen insisted we bring messy thinking to class. One week she wrote a messy paragraph on the board and said we would spend the hour pulling it apart. By the end of class we were laughing and proud of our bad drafts. That lesson stayed with me when I had to submit my first paper.
• Dr. Shaw kept a jar of tiny rubber ducks on her desk. If you came to office hours with a draft she gave you a duck and a five minute pep talk. It sounds small but those ducks were morale boosters during thesis season.
• When the lecture hall projector failed Professor Rivera told a story from memory instead. We left feeling we had been given something more than slides.

How to address sensitive or complicated situations

Sometimes the lecturer had a complicated public life or controversies. You can be honest without amplifying pain. Focus on what you knew personally and what you learned. Avoid repeating rumors or private allegations unless the family asks you to address them.

Examples for nuance

• If your relationship was complicated say something like My relationship with Professor X was not simple. We clashed over ideas and then found a way to learn from each other.
• If the lecturer was controversial keep your tribute centered on the human scale. Mention kindnesses, mentorship, and the ways they opened conversations even if you disagreed.

Using humor in an academic tribute

Small, specific funny moments can bring relief. Use humor that the lecturer would have enjoyed and that feels earned. Avoid jokes that single out grieving family members or students in a negative way.

Safe humor examples

• Professor Chang graded with tiny red stars when you did something clever. We all secretly tried to get one because they felt like approval points that mattered more than points on the rubric.
• He had a rule about caffeine meaning emergency fun. When exam week hit he brought an espresso machine to the reading room and suddenly our dissertation drafts included better jokes.

What to avoid when honoring a lecturer

• Do not read long lists of publications without stories to humanize them.
• Do not use the podium to settle departmental disputes.
• Do not make claims about causes of death unless the family has asked you to mention details.
• Do not share confidential student or patient information even if it seems relevant.

Full eulogy examples you can adapt

Below are complete examples that follow the structure above. Replace bracketed text with your details and practice out loud.

Example 1: Formal academic tribute two to four minutes

Good afternoon. I am Dr. Lena Ortiz, associate professor in the History Department. I had the privilege of collaborating with Professor Martin for seven years on curriculum and research. Martin arrived here as a brilliant teacher who cared about archival work and student arguments. He could turn a single primary source into a whole semester of surprise and discovery. One moment I will never forget was when he brought a box of letters to a lecture and read one aloud with no introduction. Suddenly the room was quiet in the way a library is when you find the right book. He taught us how to listen. He mentored students who went on to graduate school and he advocated for the library during tight budget discussions. We will miss his steady moral reasoning, his quick laugh, and the way he made archives feel alive. Please join me in a moment of silence to remember how he taught us to look closer and care more deeply.

Example 2: Short modern tribute from a current student

Hello. I am Ravi and I took Professor Kim s intro course last fall. I was a nervous student who thought theory was a closed language. Professor Kim kept office hours with cookies and patience. She read my messy papers and drew arrows that meant try again. She made me feel like a thinker. The thing I will remember is how she said the word curious with real hunger. Thank you for making curiosity contagious.

Example 3: Colleague and friend with personal memory

My name is Anna. I shared an office with Dr. Brooks for six years. We passed notes about seminars, recipes, and childcare. He was the person who said show me your worst draft and then made it better. He also left film postcards on my desk when he traveled. One night when I was up too late grading he walked by with takeout and a ready joke. That small kindness was the kind of quiet support he gave to everyone. He expected excellence and offered humanity. I am grateful to have learned from him and to have been his friend.

Example 4: Light and warm for a small memorial gathering

Hi everyone. I am Sam, a former student. If you ever met Professor O Neill you knew two things. One she loved bad puns. Two she loved better than grades. Her exams were hard but she would write a note at the bottom that said call me if you want to talk. That invitation made all the difference. Today we remember her puns and her office hour kindness. Please laugh with us and then hold her memory gently.

Fill in the blank templates

Use these templates to get a first draft. Edit for natural language and brevity. Read aloud and trim what feels forced.

Template A: Formal academic

Good [morning afternoon]. My name is [Your Name]. I am a [student colleague staff] in the [Department]. [Lecturer s name] taught here for [years] and worked on [research area]. One story that captures their approach was [brief story]. They taught us to [value or practice]. We will miss [what people will miss]. Thank you.

Template B: Student focused and short

Hi, I am [Your Name], a former student of [Lecturer s name]. They changed how I thought about [topic]. I remember [short anecdote]. That small moment made a big difference to me. Thank you for being here to remember them.

Template C: Colleague and friend

My name is [Your Name]. I worked with [Lecturer s name] in [context]. Their work in [area] mattered and they were a generous colleague because [example]. If I could say one thing to them now it would be [short line].

Practical tips for delivery in academic settings

• Confirm the format Ask whether the memorial is formal or informal, indoors or online, and whether you will use a microphone.
• Check any institutional rules Departments may have guidelines for public statements or for including institutional logos on slides. Ask the event organizer.
• Bring a printed copy Use large font and numbered pages so you can find your place if emotions come up.
• Use brief cue cards One or two lines per card keeps you on track and reduces the temptation to read every word.
• Practice with the microphone If possible test the venue mic and learn whether you need to project.
• Coordinate multimedia If you plan to show slides or play music clear it with the family or department first and test the equipment in advance.
• Ask someone to introduce you An introduction from a chair or family member can ease your opening and give you a moment to breathe.

Handling emotion while speaking

Tears are normal. Pause, breathe, and look at your notes. If you need a moment step away, take a sip of water, and then return. It is fine to say I need a moment and then continue. If you think you might not get through it ask a friend to be ready to finish your closing line.

Including readings, poems, or a musical moment

Short excerpts work best in a mixed audience. Consider quoting a sentence from the lecturer s own writing to honor their voice. Poems by Emily Dickinson, Mary Oliver, or Langston Hughes are often used because the lines feel universal and clear. If you plan music check copyright and venue audio options.

Logistics for university or college events

• Coordinate with the department chair and communications office for accurate program notes.
• Ask whether the university will post an obituary or memorial page and whether you can contribute text or photos.
• Get release permission before sharing photos or recordings online.
• Provide a copy of your remarks to the family and the department for the archive or memory book.

How to collect memories from other students and colleagues

Email a quick prompt. Keep it simple. Ask for one sentence about a favorite memory and whether they are happy to have that sentence read publicly. Compile answers and pick a few short quotes to weave into your remarks or into a printed memorial document.

Glossary of useful terms

• Eulogy A speech that honors someone who has died. It focuses on memories and influence.
• Obituary A written notice that announces a death and usually includes service details and survivors.
• PhD Doctor of Philosophy. A research degree that indicates advanced study and a doctoral dissertation.
• CV Curriculum vitae. An academic record of publications, positions, and education.
• TA Teaching assistant. Often a graduate student who supports instruction and grading.
• Tenure A permanent position that offers job security for faculty after review.
• Adjunct A part time or contract teacher who may balance multiple jobs while teaching.

Frequently asked questions

How do I start a eulogy for a lecturer if I am nervous

Start with your name and your connection to the lecturer. A simple opening like Hello my name is [Your Name] and I was a student in Professor X s class helps orient listeners and gives you a steady first line. Practice that opening until it feels familiar. It will calm you at the mic.

What if I do not know a lot about their personal life

Focus on what you do know. Talk about their teaching, a lecture that stuck with you, how they mentored students, or something simple like their office hour rituals. Academic achievements can be mentioned briefly but personal stories make the speech memorable.

Can I include departmental or institutional achievements

Yes, but keep it concise. Highlight one or two notable contributions and then move to a humanizing detail. People respond to stories more than lists of awards.

Is it okay to read the praise others sent

Yes if you have permission. Collect short quotes from students and colleagues and read one or two. Be sure the people who sent the quotes are comfortable with public reading.

How should I handle a public memorial with mixed audiences

Use clear language and avoid inside jokes that only faculty will understand. Connect academic terms to everyday language so family and friends can follow and feel included.

Should I post the eulogy online

Ask the family for permission before posting. If the family agrees you can share a recording or text on departmental pages or alumni networks with a short note about where to send condolences or donations.