Guest article by Bart Larivière.
May, 23, 2005 – May 23, 2025
Today, marks 20 years since I defended my PhD.
This week, I took the time to reflect upon my journey, considering the past, the present and the future. Based on these reflections, I grasp the opportunity to share 20 experiences/lessons.
Read here the first ones related to Teaching and Research.
Service
12- The third pillar.
Yes, beyond teaching and research, there is also service – both internal (within the department, faculty, or university) and external (to the academic community and society). From the very beginning of my tenure track, I engaged in community service. At times it was incredibly time-consuming, but it also proved to be deeply rewarding. When such opportunities arise – often at inconvenient or unexpected times – embrace them if possible, and for the right reason (= intrinsic motivation). When I received the AMA Emerging Service Scholar Award, I referred to this as “the academic circle of life.”
13- Shared purpose with similar-minded friends.
One of the most fulfilling aspects of community service is that you will find others who share the same intrinsic motivation. You meet people who care for the same reasons you do – and that shared passion often leads to enduring bonds and lifelong friendships.
14- Innovation through service.
In serving the community, it was wonderful to be part of new initiatives that our community was still missing such as the BSRD (Belgian Service Research Day) and LTAS (Let’s Talk About Service) amongst others. Serving the community offers an opportunity to be innovative, to think out of the box, and to join forces to build something new together.
Looking ahead
15- Another 20 years.
I’m 47 now, and with the official retirement age in Belgium set at 67, that means I have another 20 years to go. I sincerely hope I can maintain the same ambition, energy, and agility to keep learning, evolving, and especially contributing to others’ successes – just as I’ve tried to do over the past two decades.
16- My ever-growing academic family.
I’m aware that I am just one member of a broader team – my academic family – which will continue to grow over time. In academic terms, I now even have academic great-grandchildren. As their “academic granddad,” my greatest hope is that they find happiness and success in their own scholarly journeys.
17- My two universities (KU Leuven + UGent) and my academic friends all over the world.
I’m blessed to have, and combine two academic places, where I feel at home: KU Leuven and (part-time) Ghent University. I’m also fortunate to be part of a wider academic network. I don’t take great and caring colleagues for granted, and I’m grateful for the connection and camaraderie we share. And I am looking forward to making new memories in the coming years.
18- Balancing, sounds like music.
I stopped playing the saxophone for over ten years while pursuing my academic dreams. But about three years ago, I decided to pick it up again – rejoining the music band co-founded by my grandfather. One bonus is that every week, before rehearsals, I visit my parents, which has become a cherished routine. A few months ago, I received a certificate recognizing 25 years as a musician with the orchestra Music Time Peizegem (and even a medal from the Minister of Culture) – though, it could have been 35 years. I now hope to keep playing for another 20 years. Or, lets target 25 years; to get the golden 50 years medal of being a musician. Music and family time will remain important.
19- My best version, hopefully a good (enough) one…
It is my ambition to keep doing my very best given my resources and limits (intelligence, time, health, contextual challenges)… but, I cannot and will not make promises about what the final outcome will be.
20- Gratitude to my family!
And finally, my deepest thanks go to my family – the ones who support me, encourage me, and give me the freedom and space to pursue the work I love in the way I want to. Without that context, that grounding, none of this would be possible…and, I wouldn’t even be writing and sharing these 20 reflections today.
Up to the next 20 years!
May 23, 2025.
Bart Larivière
Marketing Professor
Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), KU Leuven
Center for Service Intelligence (CSI) at Ghent University
