Mrs. Parker inspired me in one of my darkest times. Fall of
my freshman year, when I was angry and jaded and lonely and depressed, she
brought the light of Words back to me. Her untarnished passion for stories
ignited joy from the center of my heart. She Loved words with a capital L and
her Love could not help but overflow to all her students. I am convinced that
every single student left her class with a better appreciation of language. I
will never forget how much she meant to me and encouraged me.
Dr. Stanke taught me the powerful beauty of genuinely
engaging with people and committing them to memory.
Mr. Salsbury taught me how to understand what a professor
wants from me. He taught me the value of going to your professors' offices and
letting them help you. He taught me that sometimes, people just want you to
read their minds and you have to figure out how to do that. I believe this to
be another valuable skill as I seek post-graduation employment XD
Dr. Peterman taught me the value of mentor
relationships. She taught me that I am allowed to speak like an adult and
be treated like an adult. She taught me the benefit of building goodwill and
actually trying your best. She's taught me that Loving and playing with words
does not have to be an artsy-fartsy, wishy washy, gray area, but can be an
exciting, clever, and concrete world that requires agile intellect and logical
thinking skills. She helped me wed my love of beauty with my love of reason.
Dr. McNair reminded me how much fun it is to surprise people
with kind-spirited irony.
Dr. Dunnum taught me to See words deeper, to look not
only below the word's surface, but behind and beside and above it. He taught me
to ask deeper, bigger questions. He taught me to ask How? and then prove it. He
taught me to ask Why? and then try to find the answer. And he taught me that
not finding the answer does not constitute a failure.
Dr. Morefield taught me how to love books better. He taught
me to savor the language, the story, and the people (good characters are not
just "characters," but real people to be understood). Reading Emma
in his class was probably the most fun I've ever had reading for school.
Dr. Truffin taught me that having wild style does not
preclude being hired as a professional. She taught me how to be professional
without compromising or apologizing for who you are. She taught me how to
facilitate discussion, be an active listener, appreciate others' work, and participate in great arguments.
Dr. Schroeder taught me that it is possible to get an A in a
class where it is allegedly impossible to get an A. He taught me the most Greek
I've ever learned in one place, which basically makes him my hero. He taught me
to wrestle with FREAKING HUGE ideas and come out sane. He taught me to love
Aristotle even more. I only had one class with him (Ancient Political Thought),
but it is one of my favorite classes of all time. I can't even describe how cool
it was.
Dr. Poe taught me that not all psychologists are the same,
and that if I ever go to one, I want him/her to be like her.
I honestly believe that I could not have gotten a better education anywhere else.
~Stephanie
