Non-Attorney using "J.D." Designation

[quincy]

Based upon my experiences dealing with people, I'd say the vast majority of Americans have no clue what a J.D. is and certainly wouldn't associate those letters with an attorney. Most of the time it's too much to even ask someone to read a clearly posted speed limit sign.

Haha.

I live and work in an area of universities, colleges and law schools, so I think it makes a difference where someone wants to show off his degree.

 

[FlyingRon]

Haha.

I live and work in an area of universities, colleges and law schools, so I think it makes a difference where someone wants to show off his degree.

I spent years working as a university administrator and with the National Science Foundation. Most times you called someone Doctor because chances are they had a PhD or such and they got pissed if you didn't.
In all the years I had one full professor at Johns Hopkins who had no doctorate who would correct you and just tell you to address him as Professor. One of the best professors I ever had, an ultimate engineer, and holder of dozens of patents, but no initials after his name.

I regularly got articles and proposals to referee addressed "Dear Dr. N----" but most of the time my NSF contact would cross off the typewritten salutation and write "Ron" there.

 

[quincy]

I spent years working as a university administrator and with the National Science Foundation. Most times you called someone Doctor because chances are they had a PhD or such and they got pissed if you didn't.
In all the years I had one full professor at Johns Hopkins who had no doctorate who would correct you and just tell you to address him as Professor. One of the best professors I ever had, an ultimate engineer, and holder of dozens of patents, but no initials after his name.

I regularly got articles and proposals to referee addressed "Dear Dr. N----" but most of the time my NSF contact would cross off the typewritten salutation and write "Ron" there.

That can certainly be a safe way to operate in some circles.

 

[HRZ]

IN some academic circles holding an earned "doctorate " in anything, even something not relevant, can be important in salary and tenure and advancement issues ..

 

[Ohiogal]

I spent years working as a university administrator and with the National Science Foundation. Most times you called someone Doctor because chances are they had a PhD or such and they got pissed if you didn't.
In all the years I had one full professor at Johns Hopkins who had no doctorate who would correct you and just tell you to address him as Professor. One of the best professors I ever had, an ultimate engineer, and holder of dozens of patents, but no initials after his name.

I regularly got articles and proposals to referee addressed "Dear Dr. N----" but most of the time my NSF contact would cross off the typewritten salutation and write "Ron" there.

Ron Nyyye the science guy! Okay new name for you.

 

[quincy]

I spent years working as a university administrator and with the National Science Foundation. Most times you called someone Doctor because chances are they had a PhD or such and they got pissed if you didn't.
In all the years I had one full professor at Johns Hopkins who had no doctorate who would correct you and just tell you to address him as Professor. One of the best professors I ever had, an ultimate engineer, and holder of dozens of patents, but no initials after his name.

I regularly got articles and proposals to referee addressed "Dear Dr. N----" but most of the time my NSF contact would cross off the typewritten salutation and write "Ron" there.

Some of the brightest and/or most successful people in the US have no degrees - except for the honorary degrees they receive for their achievements.

 

[FlyingRon]

Some of the brightest and/or most successful people in the US have no degrees - except for the honorary degrees they receive for their achievements.

Yep, but this guy was the only full professor I ever recall that didn't have a Ph.D. or some other doctoral level degree.

 

[quincy]

Yep, but this guy was the only full professor I ever recall that didn't have a Ph.D. or some other doctoral level degree.

I can't think of any professors I had or know now who do not have two or more advanced degrees - but I know of some courses being taught at the undergrad level in certain fields of study (music, art, theater) that have had non-degreed visiting instructors. These courses tend to be filled rapidly.

 

[Taxing Matters]

I had a math professor once who despite holding a number of degrees told the class the first day “Call me Paul. I had that name long before the university made me a Professor and it has always worked just fine.”

 

[quincy]

I had a math professor once who despite holding a number of degrees told the class the first day “Call me Paul. I had that name long before the university made me a Professor and it has always worked just fine.”

I think I would have liked that professor.