Elizabeth McLaughlin, Ph.D., assistant professor of communication, is not afraid to let loose and have fun with her students. This might include dressing up in a jester’s costume at midnight breakfast (a social life campus event), making a rap video or walking around wearing her ‘V’ for Vendetta mask. If you have ever taken one of her classes, you may have seen her donning this mask made famous by the book, “’V’ for Vendetta,” about a masked vigilante.

I took some time to interview McLaughlin to find out a little more about what’s behind the mask.

OJ: Where are you from? Where did you go to school?

EM: I was born in Ann Arbor, Mich., where I went to elementary school; lived in Wichita, Kan. for middle school, and Dayton, Ohio, for high school; Taylor University, Bethel College and Regent University.

OJ: Do you have any special memories from growing up that have had an influence on who you are today?

EM: This moving trained me to meet people wherever I go — hopeless extrovert as I am. Best memories were traveling all over the USA on family vacations. I love learning about people and places and my own family has carried on this tradition.

OJ: Tell me about your family?

EM: I am married to Donald and have two daughters, Kaitlin and Holly. Kaitlin is a youth ministry major here (Bethel) and Holly is an elementary education major at Taylor.

OJ: Do you have any special hobbies or trips you take together as a family?

EM: Every year, we go to a national park. We have been numerous times to the Smokies, Yellowstone, the Badlands, the Rockies, Tetons, Shenandoah, etc.

OJ: What is your favorite part about being a Bethel professor?

EM: I love our communication students and how they challenge me to be a better person and a better Christian. Every day is a pure gift and the grace of God that I get to work with such amazing people and wonderful students.

OJ: You recently starred in a rap music video by the communication department at Bethel. What was this experience like?

EM: I had a blast. Not sure it is my medium. I keep joking with Keenan [a student], as my agent, that I have not received any offers.

OJ: When you’re not at Bethel, what are you up to?

EM: I am kind of boring — like to read and exercise, want to return to fencing.

OJ: What is one interesting fact about you?

EM: I can touch my tongue to my nose!

OJ: Describe yourself in three words.

EM: By grace alone.

Produced by a student, watch McLaughlin rap. She’s also accompanied by fellow communication professors, Theo Williams and Tim Ceravolo.