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

Writing a eulogy for a professor can feel oddly formal and deeply personal at the same time. Maybe they were the mentor who changed your career path or the lecturer whose jokes kept you awake in an 8 a.m. class. This guide helps you shape a speech that honors their work, their humanity, and the specific role they played in your life and in the academic community. You will get practical steps, plain explainers for academic terms, real examples you can adapt, and tips for getting through delivery without getting stuck in perfectionism.

Who this guide is for

This article is for students, former students, teaching assistants, colleagues, department staff, and friends who have been asked to speak about a professor at a funeral, memorial, campus ceremony, or departmental gathering. It helps whether you are a nervous senior who only saw your professor in the lecture hall or a graduate student who spent years in their office getting advice at 2 a.m.

What is a eulogy for an academic

A eulogy is a short speech that honors someone who has died. For a professor the speech usually mixes personal memory with acknowledgment of professional contributions. That can mean talking about research, teaching, mentorship, publications, classroom quirks, administrative work, and the relationships they built. A eulogy is different from an obituary. An obituary lists facts like dates, degrees, and surviving family. A eulogy tells a story that helps people in the room remember the professor as a person.

Academic terms you might see or hear

• PhD A doctoral degree that often indicates expertise in a field and the ability to supervise graduate research.
• Adjunct A part time faculty member who often teaches classes without a full time contract or the same benefits as tenured faculty.
• Tenure A permanent academic appointment that provides job security and protects academic freedom.
• Department chair The faculty member who leads the department and handles administrative duties.
• Syllabus The course outline that lists learning goals, policies, readings, and assignments.
• Office hours Scheduled times when a professor is available to meet with students.
• Commencement The graduation ceremony where degrees are conferred.
• Peer review The process by which scholars evaluate each other s research before publication.

Before you start writing

Take a breath. A few practical steps before you open a blank document will save time and emotional energy.

• Check timing Ask the organizer how much time you have and where your remarks fit in the ceremony.
• Get permission Confirm with the family or the professor s close colleague whether they want the speech to focus on professional achievements, personal stories, or both.
• Collect facts Note full name, degrees, positions held, major publications, and significant dates. If you are unsure about something verify it with the department administrator or family.
• Decide tone Are you aiming for warmth, humor, solemnity, or a mix? Match the tone to the professor s personality and the audience.
• Ask for memories Reach out to classmates, former advisees, or colleagues and ask for one short memory each. That yields multiple perspectives and helps you avoid overuse of the same anecdotes.

Choosing the right focus

Because a professor s life often includes research, teaching, and service, you will need to pick which areas you highlight. You do not have to cover everything. Pick three main focus points such as mentorship, a classroom habit that made them beloved, and a key contribution to their field. That keeps your speech tight and memorable.

Structure that works

Simple structure is forgiving when emotions appear. Use this shape to organize your thoughts.

• Opening Say who you are and your relationship to the professor. Give one clear line that sets the tone.
• Life sketch Offer a brief overview of academic and personal roles. Mention degrees, institutions, and notable work but keep it human.
• Anecdotes Share one or two short stories that show character. Stories are the most memorable part.
• Takeaways Say what they taught you and the community. Mention values, lessons, and the ways they made life better.
• Closing End with a farewell line, a quote, or a short call to action such as supporting a scholarship in their name.

Opening

Start with your name and connection. That gives context and a moment to breathe. Example openings include

• Hello. I am Maya Jones. I was Dr. Carter s teaching assistant for two years.
• Good afternoon. My name is Luis Rodriguez. I took Professor Wang s seminar in data ethics the summer before my thesis.
• Hi. I am Priya Patel. I am one of the doctoral students who called Professor Evans my advisor and my toughest supporter.

Life sketch

Keep this concise. Mention degrees and roles in plain language. Avoid long lists of publications without context. Example:

Professor Anjali Rao earned her PhD in comparative literature from Stanford and taught at Hudson University for twenty three years. She chaired the department for six years and published award winning work on translation and power. Beyond that she was the person students went to when they did not know how to begin a paper or when they needed to practice a job talk.

Anecdotes that matter

Pick stories that reveal something true about the professor. Keep them short and sensory. Tell one with setup, action, and why it mattered. Example setup:

When I was nervous about presenting my research, Professor Lee did something no other faculty did. He sat through my practice talk and then made me explain the same point three different ways until I could see it from a student s eyes. That lesson changed how I prepare talks and how I mentor others.

Takeaways and closing

End with the lesson or the way you will remember them. You can close with a short quote or with a request such as lighting a candle or donating to a fund. Keep it brief and sincere.

How long should a eulogy for a professor be

Aim for three to seven minutes. If you are reading it aloud that translates to roughly 400 to 800 words. If multiple people are speaking coordinate lengths so the service stays on schedule. Short and focused often feels more powerful in an academic setting because it respects people s time and attention.

Gathering material and verifying facts

Stories are the gold. Ask classmates, lab mates, current and former advisees, and colleagues for one memory each. Use faculty profiles or CVs to verify job titles and publication names. If you mention grants or awards double check the names and years. Small factual errors stick in people s memories in a way you do not want.

Eulogy examples you can adapt

Below are example eulogies that follow the structure above. Replace bracketed text with your details and edit for your voice. Read them aloud and make them sound like you.

Example 1: The mentor who changed a career path

Hello. My name is Aaron Mitchell and I was Dr. Rivera s advisee for four years. I stand here with a small but lasting debt. When I arrived as a first year with a half formed idea and a lot of doubt she asked two simple questions. What interests you more than anything and what are you willing to defend in public. She did not let me take the easy answer. She pushed me to read harder, to write cleaner, and to accept that criticism is not a personal attack but a tool for sharpening work.

Her office windows always had a pile of books balanced like a small city. You could go in for one short question and come out three hours later with a clearer plan and a recommendation for a book you had not known existed. She believed that mentorship was hours of attention more than prestige. That belief changed my life and the lives of many students who now teach and research because of her.

We will miss her steady presence at the faculty meetings and the uncanny way she remembered student names years after a single chat. Please join me in a moment of silence and in promising to mentor one student in the spirit she taught us. Thank you.

Example 2: The beloved lecturer with a sense of humor

Hi. I am Zoe Nguyen. I took Professor Patel s sections three times because I liked the class and also because I liked the way she made nineteenth century novels feel like a group chat. She had a habit of writing tiny cartoons in the margins of her lecture slides. We would always laugh when the pie chart turned into a tiny person running away with an umbrella.

Beyond the jokes she taught us to love the material and to be curious enough to ask messy questions. She made room for students who were not sure where they fit and for students who needed a nudge toward scholarship. I will miss her laughter at the back of the lecture hall and the way she signed her emails with the single word onward. Thank you for showing us how to love the work and each other.

Example 3: Short version for a TA or student rep

Hello. I am Miguel Garcia and I was the teaching assistant for Professor O Leary s introductory course. Professor O Leary was tireless in his dedication to students. He stayed after class for extra office hours and wrote handwritten notes to students who were struggling. His kindness was practical and direct. We will miss him and the many small ways he made this department feel like a home. Thank you.

Example 4: Complicated relationship but honest

My name is Hannah Lee. I worked with Professor Morgan in the lab for three years. He was exacting and sometimes difficult. He demanded clarity and did not suffer vague work. That made our team better. It also made for late nights and hard conversations. I am grateful for what I learned under that pressure. He taught me to take care with data and to stand by careful claims. In time I learned to appreciate his intensity as a form of care. I will miss his exacting standards and the way he made us aim higher.

Fill in the blanks templates

Use these templates to draft a first version. Replace bracketed text and then edit to sound natural.

Template A: Classic academic eulogy

My name is [Your Name]. I was [Professor s Name] [student advisee TA colleague]. [Professor s Name] taught at [Institution] for [number] years and was known for [research area teaching style service]. One memory that shows who they were is [brief story]. They taught me [lesson]. We will remember them for [trait]. Thank you for being here to honor them.

Template B: Short and direct

Hello. I am [Your Name]. I took [Course Title] with [Professor s Name]. They made the material come alive and made space for students who felt lost. Today we remember their generosity and their rigor. Thank you.

Template C: For departmental colleague

My name is [Your Name] and I served with [Professor s Name] on the department faculty for [years]. They chaired [committee], mentored junior faculty, and held our community together with quiet competence. One small thing I will always remember is [short anecdote]. We will miss their leadership and their sense of humor. Please join me in honoring their life by [gesture such as donating or establishing a reading group].

Delivery tips for anxious speakers

• Print your speech Use a simple font and large type. Printed pages feel more reliable in emotional moments than a phone screen.
• Use cue cards Write brief prompts on index cards so you can glance down and keep momentum.
• Mark pauses Put brackets or blank lines where you want to breathe. Pauses give the audience time to absorb the story and give you space to collect yourself.
• Practice out loud Read your speech aloud at least three times. Practice helps your throat and your timing.
• Have water handy A sip can steady your voice. Check with the venue about a small bottle or cup.
• Ask for a backup Arrange for someone to finish a line if you need help. Having a buddy calms the mind.
• Speak slowly Slow speech is easier to follow and reduces the chance of losing your place when emotions rise.

What to avoid in a eulogy for a professor

• Avoid long lists of publications with no human context. People remember stories more than titles.
• Avoid confidential departmental politics or airing grievances. A eulogy is not the place for complaints.
• Avoid jokes at the expense of students or colleagues. Keep humor kind and earned.
• Avoid repeating unverified claims. If you are not sure about an award or a year, leave it out or verify.

How to include academic rituals and readings

Many campuses have rituals such as a moment of silence, ringing a bell, or reading a short excerpt. If you want to include a poem, pick a short excerpt of two to four lines. If you want to quote a paper or a lecture note make sure it is short and accessible to a general audience. Confirm with the organizer before including music or lengthy readings and provide printed copies if appropriate.

After the eulogy

People often request a copy. Offer to email the text to family, colleagues, or a memorial email list. The department may include the eulogy in a memory file or an online tribute. If you record the speech ask permission before sharing it widely. Some families prefer privacy and some may be grateful to have the recording available for distant friends and alumni.

Glossary of academic terms and acronyms

• PhD Doctor of Philosophy. The highest academic degree in many fields and often required for university level research and teaching positions.
• Adjunct A part time instructor who teaches classes but is not a full time faculty member.
• Tenure A permanent position at a university that offers job security and protection for academic freedom.
• CV Short for curriculum vitae. A comprehensive record of academic work including publications, presentations, and positions.
• Office hours Scheduled times when a professor is available to meet with students to discuss course work or career questions.
• Peer review The process by which scholars evaluate the work of other scholars before it is published.
• Commencement The graduation ceremony when degrees are officially conferred.

Frequently asked questions

How do I start a eulogy if I am nervous

Begin with a brief introduction of your name and your relationship to the professor. A single line like Hello I am [Your Name] and I was [Professor s Name] student offers context and gives you a stable first sentence to practice. Repeat that opening until it feels familiar so it steadies you at the podium.

What if I do not know much about the professor s research

Focus on what you do know. Talk about teaching, mentorship, classroom moments, or the way they treated students. Personal memories matter more than a detailed summary of research when the audience includes students and family.

Can I use humor in a eulogy for a professor

Yes when the humor is kind and earned. Small, specific jokes about classroom quirks or a recurring habit usually land well. Avoid humor that could embarrass colleagues or family.

How do I handle tears while speaking

If you start to cry, pause and breathe. Look at your notes and take a moment. The audience will wait. If you need a minute to compose yourself that is okay. If you cannot continue ask a friend to finish a sentence you wrote as a backup plan.

Should I include academic titles and credentials

Yes include key credentials such as degrees and roles but keep the list short. Mentioning PhD and department is useful context. Focus on the human side of their work rather than a long list of honors.

How long should my eulogy be at a campus memorial

Aim for three to seven minutes. If the department plans multiple speakers check the schedule and keep your remarks on the shorter side to allow time for others.

What if the professor had a complicated reputation

Be honest without airing grievances. You can acknowledge complexity and focus on a quality or lesson you honestly appreciated. If a relationship was difficult you can say that and then describe what you learned or what changed.

Can I read the eulogy from my phone

You can but printed pages or index cards are often more reliable in emotional situations. If you use a phone make sure it is silenced, the screen brightness is set, and you have a backup printed copy.