Growing up with a Polish-American mother and a Canadian father, Doug Paisley '70 has always appreciated learning and culture. Living in places from Chicago, Hong Kong and Conroe, Texas, Paisley was immersed in a diverse world. Paisley had a superior educational experience in the British school system while in Hong Kong and decided to attend a smaller university at the age of 16. "The choice was between Southwestern and Austin College. Once I visited campus for the first time, I was hooked," says Paisley. "My choice was clear to attend Southwestern, but it was a temporary stop on my way to my graduate studies at the University of Texas after growing up a bit," says Paisley. During his time at Southwestern, he earned a bachelor of arts in history. He continued at the University of Texas where he earned a doctor of jurisprudence (JD). Then he earned his Master of Laws (LL.M.) at Columbia University of Law and a diploma in European law at the University of Amsterdam.

As Paisley reflects on his time spent at Southwestern, he remembers his brothers in the Kappa Alpha Fraternity, the late night debates on the college campus, but mostly, he remembers the teachers. William B. Jones, retired professor of history, was one of the teachers that influenced Paisley. "To this day, he is the teacher of a lifetime. I was honored when asked to speak at his retirement ceremony at Southwestern in 2002," says Paisley. Another favorite was Claude Kinnard, professor of art history. "His classes were so exciting that I could not get enough of his courses. I regretted not being able to take a double major," says Paisley. History Professor Friedrich Gaupp was another favorite of Paisley's. Gaupp was a former German soldier who served in WWI on the Russian front. "With the diverse quality of teachers Southwestern provided, I learned personal responsibility and was rewarded with lifelong friendships."

Paisley now practices international corporate law. He travels a lot in his business, working with people from diverse cultures and nationalities. When not traveling, Paisley serves as a member of the Board of Trustees at Southwestern. "Being a member of the Board of Trustees has allowed me to give back to my alma mater in a meaningful and relevant way," says Paisley. On the Board, Paisley serves as a member on the Executive Committee. He is privy to and a part of many critical decisions, which keep Southwestern at the forefront of its peer institutions. Also, he is the chair of the Educational Affairs Committee, responsible for providing the Board an oversight of curriculum and student life.

Looking back on how Southwestern has influenced his life, Paisley is truly thankful. "We used to joke that Southwestern was the 'womb' and that we were insulated from the 'real world.' Nothing could have been further from the truth then, or now," says Paisley. "Southwestern is an academic and social environment that teaches the fundamental underpinnings of our civilization, that does so in a context of our shared moral values and that encourages rigorous debate at all levels. A rigorous liberal arts education is the best preparation one can have for the 'real world.'"

For the students coming to Southwestern hoping to be prepared for the real world, Paisley offers, "My advice is simple and was my guiding principal as a student: learn as much and in as many disciplines as you can in four years and have fun," he says. This is something he has told his daughter, Kate Paisley, who is now a junior at Southwestern. "I think Kate is experiencing what I consider to be the continuing legacy of Southwestern, which is dedication to academic excellence, a spirit of togetherness with students and faculty, a love of teaching and learning, and a wonderful preparation for graduate school and life thereafter," he says. "I can also safely say that Southwestern offers this to anyone who wants it," he says, "In this regard, one never truly leaves the experience behind, and it becomes ingrained in one's life."