University of Pretoria alumna, Professor Clara Gerhardt, was recently honoured with the designation of Distinguished Professor at the Orlean Beeson School of Education at Samford University, Birmingham, in the United States.

The title of Distinguished Professor is given to the top tenured professors in a university, school, or department. Distinguished Professors are usually awarded this title because they are highly regarded and seen as a leader in their field of study.

Prof Gerhardt has been a tenured full professor at Samford since 2007 and is a world-recognised teacher-scholar in the field of family studies. She is a licensed Clinical Psychologist, Marriage and Family Therapist, and certified Family Life Educator who completes up to 30 hours of continuing education annually in order to maintain three professional licenses. Gerhardt authored three textbooks and numerous book chapters including many in the International Encyclopaedia of Family Studies.

“This honour represents peer recognition of a lifetime invested in higher education. I felt humbled to be singled out for this honour. I can only be the professor I am because of the incredible colleagues we all share, because of the students who touch our lives so deeply and turn us into the teachers we are meant to be,” she says.

Back when she was a student at UP, her father Prof FWK Grotepass was a professor in the medical school, therefore all her siblings entered the medical field – but she chose differently. Prof Gerhardt registered for a bachelor’s degree in languages and psychology and continued with her Honours and Master’s in Clinical Psychology. In 1975 she obtained her DLitt et Phil and was the youngest doctoral candidate in her cohort.

She says during her time as a student she missed out on some campus student life due to her studies. “One of my fond memories is the Merensky library, specifically the area for reserved books. These were the days before the web, even photocopying was a novelty. I spent many hours transcribing material for my doctoral research – nowadays most literature searches occur digitally. One of my first consultancies as a Clinical Psychologist was at Pretoria University’s Speech, Voice and Hearing Clinic and later the Dental Clinic – supporting children with facial cleft deformities.  

“Besides being a world-class University, Tukkies was also a cultural centre. The leading ballet company rehearsed in the Aula, and any concert of significance took place on campus. I signed up as a student usher and was exposed to as many performances as I could muster. My love for the arts was strengthened in that environment.”

In the face of ongoing efforts to reduce gender inequalities, Prof Gerhardt says women must take education seriously and she encourages the next generation to pursue an education or support those entrusted in their care to reach out for educational opportunities. “My academic credentials opened doors beyond my expectations. They also allowed me to serve the community with professional expertise. I am grateful for the world-class education I received at my alma mater. As Nelson Mandela said, ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world’.”