Question from the Dean: You Spoke

David Rubin of the French Department—a warm, tender man with a passion for his field, patience and a great sense of humor! I had several classes with him but remember La Fontaine’s fables as my favorite—we wrote our own fable in French as the final project—great opportunity to be creative and use the language!!! He assisted me several times in post-graduate recommendations. A fine man, a fabulous professor and a treasure at U.Va.!!!!
Elizabeth D. Pounders (French Language and Literature ’89)

My favorite professor, with whom I had a correspondence for many years, was Professor John Graham. I spent many hours in the hallway of the Rhetoric and Communication Studies offices because I couldn’t pull myself away from talking to him. He gave me a copy of Blake’s Songs of Experience once after I fessed up I had sold my copy from his class the previous semester. I can’t read Blake without thinking about Professor Graham. After I graduated and began teaching high school, he sent me a copy of critical essays on The Great Gatsby, a copy of The Scarlet Letter and a copy of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, all unsolicited and greatly appreciated. The hardest essays I had to write at U.Va. were the two page essays for his “Rhetoric and Aesthetics”—one had to get to the point and eliminate all the “fluff”—a lesson I try hard to teach in my own classroom now.
Stacia Zeimet (English Language and Literature ’94)

John Graham in the now extinct Rhetoric and Communications Studies Department was among my best professors. I was lucky enough to have him first year for public speaking. He was very tough but completely fair. He worked as hard to help us learn as he made us work. I took two higher level courses from him in pursuit of my major, and they were absolutely the most demanding among my classes. He made us think about writing and communicating in ways I had never considered. The skills and disciplines I learned from him continue to help me in my career today. All the while, he cared about each student and took the time to be a true supporter of our efforts.

In the History Department, my other major, I had many wonderful teachers. The higher level courses were the most memorable as the teachers gave of their time in getting to know each student and pushing us to be our best. Ed Ayers taught honors history and was my thesis adviser. He was the most enthusiastic and approachable professor I had. His passion for the subject and his relaxed way with students encouraged us all to push a bit harder and enjoy the process along the way.
Lee Harper (History, Rhetoric and Communication Studies ’85)

Larry Bouchard taught me an entirely new vocabulary with which to analyze literature and the world. The sheer magnitude of his intellect was a daily inspiration.
Walker Lamond (English Language and Literature ’97)

Ken Elzinga—passion for his subject led me to major in eonomics—I knew zip about the subject before I took his classes. (He’d probably contend that I knew next to zip about it even after I graduated with an honors degree in economics!) He is a born teacher. 

Bill Breit—another economics professor since decamped for Trinity University in Texas —also brought passion, humor and insight to the subjects he taught.

Dante Germino—deceased political science professor. Introduced this Midwestern rural conservative to Herbert Marcuse, Frantz Fanon and other radical voices simultaneously with Plato and Aristotle.
Walter W. Bardenwerper (Economics ’73, Law ’76)

Edward Ayers was by far my favorite professor during my four years at Virginia. Not only did he make learning exciting and interesting, but he packed a 200-plus seat lecture hall every Tuesday and Thursday for his 75-minute lectures—quite a feat for any class, much less U.S. History. I think the most telling example may be the fact that I got an A- in the class despite it being one of the more demanding courses I took my first two years on Grounds. He did an amazing job of passing along his love of history and it was cool to get to experience that kind of passion for a semester. The University of Richmond is lucky to have him as its president.
Alan Ashby (History ’96)

Definitely Professor Wheeler for Commercial Law ... one of the most interesting people I ever met, whom I respect a lot. He made even the most boring subject interesting. Also, he offers extra credit to his students for country/folk dancing. I remember being a little nervous at the dance, as I am a very shy person. He saw me and told the class “Don’t be shy. A lot of people are shy, that’s why I asked you to come to the dance—it’s a great way to get over your shyness.”
I never forget that. Thank you, Professor Wheeler.
Anonymous 

Without a doubt, my favorite professors at U.Va. were those that had the ability to control the crowd like a master politician—balance the needs of the group with the needs of the individual learners and could make a large lecture class feel as intimate as a small discussion section. Richard Handler in the Anthropology Department, specifically, comes to mind. He, like the others, was someone that worked and practiced at teaching. It was an amazing incentive to learn. You wanted to perform as well for them as they were performing for you.
Christopher Taylor Edwards (Anthropology, Architectural History ’96)

More than any other person, Carl Roskott taught me what music is really about. It was during a conversation we were having in his little office in Old Cabell Hall overlooking the Lawn. When it comes down to it, music is about the experience of people: the players and the listeners. It’s about that bond that we share as a human society, and it’s about the love that we can share with each other through the common language of music. To me, the most inspiring music reflects the efforts of individuals who struggle to create something beautiful in this chaotic world, something that brings people together to share a special experience. Carl Roskott was one such individual, and his selfless, sincere music making was his gift to the world.
Paul Kim (Chemistry ’01, MA Music ’04)

Dr. Alfred Burger. He was extremely well prepared and punctual. No favorites. Knowledgeable and consistent.

John Coleman. He was personal and fair and knowledgeable. Excellent teacher.
Brock Anderson (Biology ’55)

Among my favorite professors is one with whom I never attended a class: Dr. Raymond C. Bice.

There was a personal connection; Dr. Bice and I are from the same town, a small town in Wisconsin, La Crosse. His parents knew mine: His father was for many years a highly respected state senator from La Crosse in the Wisconsin state legislature. 

At some point in the late 1950s, my parents visited the University: At the point of being given a tour of the Grounds, they were asked to wait. After a bit of delay, Dr. Bice appeared and explained that he had asked that he be informed if people from La Crosse might have arrived. My parents were given the tour of their lives and fell in love with the University, for themselves and for me, their son.

During my time in Charlottesville, Dr. Bice maintained a careful though communicative distance, I suppose to insure no hint of favoritism (I was in the Page-Emmet first year dorms and my dean was Professor T. Braxton Woody, another favorite professor). Nonetheless, Dr. Bice was a recurring and valued adviser and mentor to me in those days. 

I remember many stories and anecdotes about the presence and huge influence for good of Dr. Bice at the University in those days. But perhaps understandably, I value most his personal attention to my parents on that day at the Rotunda in the late 1950s, which led to my attending the University.
Joseph Murrie (College ’63)

I took a class with Paul Kershaw of the History Department my first semester at U.Va. He impressed me so much with his humor and enthusiasm, no matter the subject, that I’m choosing to take a higher-level history class with him next semester. I think he deserves some kind of commendation for his excellent teaching. I hope someone does something about it, because this professor is truly awesome.
Teri Dulong-Rae (Government ’10)

Without a doubt, my favorite professor at the university was Ed Burton. I was fortunate enough to enroll in one of his first classes at the university—“Money & Banking” (ECON 303, fall 1987). I believe that it was the only class that he taught at the time, and I enjoyed the discussions among the students, who numbered between 20 and 25. Most memorable were the guest speakers that Ed brought to the class. We had regular visits from Wall Street professionals who shared their experiences and gave us firsthand knowledge of how the financial markets actually worked. I had lunch with Ed in Los Angeles a year or so ago, and I understand that his class sizes are considerably larger these days.
C. Hunt Salembier (Economics ’89)

Interesting question for me to answer, and I am not sure anyone from U.Va. or elsewhere has asked me that, which is especially peculiar because I am a college counselor and am very tuned in to the buzz ideas of engagement, class size, student-faculty interaction, etc.

U.Va. may not have been the right place for me when I began straight from high school in 1969 (that’s another story unrelated to your question), but I did have some memorable teachers, though now at my age, my memory doesn’t seem to work on command as it used to!.

First was a grad student who taught one of my English classes. It was a small class (fewer than 25 students) and I remember that several times we met in his apartment sitting on the floor. What is most memorable is a Canadian author (the teacher was Canadian) whom he had us read—Farley Mowat. (I can remember the author, but unfortunately not the teacher’s name!) I had been a reader in my youth but had found many of the required books of high school uninspiring, and as a science major, English was not one of my areas of focus. Nevertheless, The People of the Deer led me to read Never Cry Wolf, A Whale for the Killing and other books by the author, and rekindled an enjoyment of reading, recognizing especially that nonfiction, environmental-themed novels were very attractive for me.

Another memorable professor was Dr. Crowell, who taught organic chemistry. I chose his class because it was smaller than the pre-med “orgo” class—90 students vs. 500. More importantly, I discovered that he knew my parents from when my father was a grad student at U.Va. This personal connection made me feel more “obliged” and gave me an additional motivation that I felt over the course of the year—for some reason, this allowed me to never feel the discomfort of weight of the usually “feared” organic chemistry.

These are two examples of professors who had an effect me. The personal connection and enthusiasm were certainly part of what allowed them to be memorable for me.
Bill Dingledine (Biology ’73)

You know, I am a big fan of these Q and As, and I think your questions are generally very incisive. I think you are genuinely interested in my response. So, my favorite professors ... I greatly enjoyed Dante Germino’s intellect and ability to explain, as well as the passion behind my French Revolution Seminar teacher whose name escapes me, but my favorite was a gentle intellect named Mr. Cross, of the History Department. He was always so positive, and wanted you to succeed. He had no airs, and I could talk to him easily. He was always ready to help. The best.
George Snyder (Political and Social Thought ’81)

No question my favorite professor was Kathryn Ingle. I took two courses from her when U.Va. had a Rhetoric and Communication Studies program. She was entertaining and always funny, and was the first role model of a strong feminine personality for me. She wasn’t an in-your-face crusader, but she was upfront, supportive of progressive causes and made it look cool. Her energy in the classroom and ability to get the class whipped into a frenzy over issues and ideas is something I think about from time to time when I am in need of an attitude adjustment or a personality boost. I can’t remember half of what I learned in class, but I have always wished I could grow up to be her: a lovable spitfire with a wicked big brain.
Ann Marie Ludlow Gardner (English Language and Literature ’90)

My favorite professor would have to be Daniel Zimmerman from my Spanish 201 class. Although he is a grad student, I could tell that he put a lot of time into thinking about our class and preparing for it. He also kept class interesting and entertaining while delivering the material very well. He showed a genuine interest in us, and that showed through his work. He was always smiling and had an upbeat attitude in class.
Holly Henson (English Language and Literature ’11)

Douglas Day. English Lit around 1969.
Alan Woodall (College ’72)

I had an opportunity to take a class on the history of the civil rights movement with Julian Bond, and I remember that he didn’t really have to go by the book because he was often telling stories that he lived. Elizabeth Thompson was the professor for my Middle Eastern history classes. She encouraged us to explore new ideas and to look through primary sources. On a personal level, she gave good advice to me and once had our small class over for a research-paper party.
Saadia Chaudhry (History ’98) 

Phillip Zelikow—because he made even World War II history interesting and exciting. He was great at getting up in front of the class and teaching history like it was a grand story ... with almost no notes. 

Larry Sabato—because he was passionate about politics and it rubbed off on everyone around him and he pushed his students to get out of their comfort zones, which I think has helped me greatly as an attorney!!
Lisa D. Woods (Government, Environmental Science ’03)

Frank Finger in psychology. He was an amazing mentor/scholar and a sensitive, wise, compassionate man. I learned science and methodology from him in a work-study position on his circadian-rhythm work. I took his abnormal psych class my junior year and then was the T.A. my senior year. I got married in Pavilion III when he resided there and then housesat for him and Nell Finger when they were on sabbatical. He received the phone call with news that my father had died; I was working in the lab at the time. I will never forget how he broke the news to me and the extraordinary skill, warmth and understanding he extended as I reacted and started to deal with my father’s passing. I went on to a doctoral program in clinical psychology at the University of Illinois. He guided me through that process and challenged me to push myself when I expressed fears about the level of competition I would be facing in the application process. When I wrote to him during my first year and shared a recurrent dream that they (the faculty at Illinois) would decide they had made a mistake in accepting me and ask me to leave, he jokingly (?) responded that they were too arrogant to admit any mistakes if they made them, so I should relax: I was safe. I miss Frank Finger still, even though I graduated in 1980. He was one of the most special people in my life. I will never forget him.

Thanks for giving me an opportunity to share these memories.
Cobie Whitten, Ph.D. (Psychology ’80)

My most influential professor is Jack Lindgren. Tirelessly, selflessly, Jack has inspired and awed. He taught with passion and determination rivaled by few. Everything I know, the work ethic, the multi-angle approach, the supportive “pat on the back” were carefully planted by Jack in our minds as students, and today we reap the rewards. Pressure? Deadlines? Challenges? No problem. In preparation for the real-world test, Jack has ensured that we, as his students, get a real taste of what it’s like to shine and deliver in the world after U.Va.. But most of all, I appreciate his personal attention and care—a hallmark of a true mentor.
Andy Sikorski (Commerce ’98, MS Management Information Systems ’99)

Gil Roy, Chinese professor, and Tom Best, German professor. Also David Brydges, my first-year calculus professor, who generously shared office hours.

John Todd (German Language and Literature ’82)

 

I was not a student that got to know my professors and consider it one of my biggest regrets in my four years at U.Va.. That said, I had one unforgettable interchange with an amazing professor. I signed up for Paul Gaston’s South in the 20th Century class spring of my fourth year (1989). I did not get the class, but I remember my pal Olen Earl telling me it was one of the best. So I was determined to fight for a place in this class, which I remember always had a long waiting list. For the first time in my four years, I walked to a professor’s office (we didn’t have e-mail back then!) and when he wasn’t there, I left a note to this effect, “Professor Gaston, I will sing, dance and do whatever it takes to get into your class this semester.” That night I received a phone call (you’ve got to imagine the most lovely deep Southern accent) saying, “Tracy, this is Paul Gaston. I’m wondering what you’re gonna sing in my class tomorrow.” I was at once thrilled and terrified, thrilled that I had gotten in and terrified that he might actually call on me. I never sang but learn I did!
Tracy Shackelford (Religious Studies ’89)

It was the summer of 1982. Old Cabell Hall was not air conditioned; the windows opened for my noon to 1:30 p.m. Middle Eastern religions lecture.

I usually sat in the back, but today I was late so instead chose a contemplative seat in the center section near the aisle. I was contemplating the end of my educational pursuits at the University when suddenly a man with an Indian accent asked me if I desired to have my diapers changed.

Startled, I laughed. The man returned to the front of the room and explained that only babies require noontime naps.
Mike Culp (Drama ’82)

Janis Antonovics. He was an excellent lecturer, approachable, knowledgeable and friendly.
Shannon Hyatt (Biology ’04)

David Weiss and Irby Cauthen.
R. Spencer Hines (College ’58, Darden ’62)

I do not remember any closeness to professors or instructors when I was there. I will, however, always remember the kindness of one English instructor who stopped me briefly in a hallway. He told me I had done well on my comprehensive exam. His name is Mr. Blotner.
Ludwig C. Hoffmann III (College ’61)

I received a B.A. from both the History and English departments. My favorite professor in the History Department was Dean Ayers because he was a brilliant, highly respected scholar in his area of study, yet he remained down-to-earth and highly approachable. Even while he was the dean of the College, he not only found time to teach an amazing course, but he took the time to meet with students individually. Furthermore, when he met with you, he was genuinely interested in your thoughts and your work. Ayers never let his ego get in the way of truly being a professor.

My favorite professor in the English department was Dr. Lisa Woolfork. Dr. Woolfork taught courses focused on the portrayal of blackness in American literature. Dr. Woolfork was insightful and challenging without being judgmental or promoting an agenda. She had a genuine curiosity regarding the subject she taught, and wanted students to truly think for themselves and work hard to understand the authors as well as the greater societal issues involved in the works we read. Dr. Woolfork was personable and not ego-driven. She is truly a great professor.
Sarah L. Hastings (History, English Language and Literature ’03)

My favorite professors were Joseph Blotner and Jesse Beams. Blotner brought William Faulkner in for a few appearances during the semester. Students, of course, asked Faulkner about the symbolism which novels are supposed to contain so that English professors have something to do. Faulkner would always answer the questions by giving the most literal interpretation of a passage which anyone might imagine, much the way Bob Dylan answers questions about his songs.

Beams was absent a lot because he was in the laboratory performing physics experiments, but he gave great lectures when he was there, not, I might add, indulging in the usual foppish mathematical style of most physics professors. I enjoyed his guest lecturer, who was his lab assistant, not because he was so good but because he was closer to my age so that I realized, hey I can do this. The lab assistant gave so many lectures that he had his own guest lecturer at least once, a guy who mixed philosophy and physics, talking at one point about the relationship of God and man.
Burke Ritchie (College ’60, MA English Language and Literature ’61, PhD Chemistry ’68)

In recalling impressions from about 60 years back, what stands out is the interaction between senior faculty and undergraduates. My major was economics with a heavy emphasis on “micro” rounded out by a two-term “macro” seminar on business cycles by David McCord Wright with about eight students. Beyond economics, I recall Professor (to be dean) Runk teaching first year biology and back-to-back American history lectures by nationally ranked professors Abernethy and Younger.
Robert D. Hulme (Economics ’50)

Two of my favorite professors are still teaching 40 years later. Joe Kett in the History Department was probably the most intellectually stimulating professor I had. I was fortunate to study with him in a small honors seminar on American radical and reform movements. It was probably the most memorable course I took at the University. My daughter recently was fortunate enough to have him for a history survey course. She said he was just about the best professor she has had in the past three years. So Joe is obviously still going strong.

I had Ken Elzinga for Economics 1 and 2 the very first year he taught at U.Va., 1967-68. He was probably the best large lecture professor I had. The basics of economic principles he taught have served me well in my 30-plus years in the financial community.

The other truly memorable professor I had was Dean Irby B. Cauthen for Shakespeare. Dean Cauthen was the epitome of the old-line, Southern scholar. I can still hear his mellifluous voice reciting passages from the Bard’s plays.

Although I never had T. Braxton Woody for a course, his speech on the Honor System to incoming students my first year in 1966 was truly one of the most memorable events of my academic career. I subsequently was fortunate enough to get to know Dean Woody quite well and believe he was one of the real giants of the University for many decades.
Joel Gardner (History ’70, Law ’74)

Stephen Innes, Gary Allinson and Arthur Kirsch are the three professors who positively influenced me the most at U.Va.: Mr. Innes for his belief and insistence that each of us has something unique and worthy to contribute; Mr. Allinson for his kind personality and nurturing yet rigorous teaching style; Mr. Kirsch for his humility and ability to uncover universal concepts at a level that young undergraduates could understand; and all three for their deep and thorough knowledge of their subjects (early U.S. history, Japanese history and Shakespeare). They and their teachings are with me, always.
Kristi Y. Yuzuki (History ’90)

Melvin Butler of the Music Department. Professor Butler cared for music in a way that drew students into it. His classes in gospel and jazz music broadened the horizons of students, and for that I am thankful.
Charlene Brown (Religious Studies ’08)

My favorite teacher, at U.Va., was my Slavic folklore teacher, Natasha [Something]. She also taught me what little Russian I ever learned.

While I was mortified, about a year after finishing my first-year Russian class, to realize that “Nyemnogo” was not the proper response to her greeting, “Kak pahzhivayesh?” (It should have been “Nichivo, puhzhalyustuh.”) She ought to know that, despite that particular debacle, I was able to summon, in about 1990 or so, sufficient Russian language capacity to not only ask for directions, in Russian, in a Moscow train station, but also to understand and respond to the answers to my questions.
 
While I have forgotten almost everything of my Russian language ability, at this point, one particular lecture my teacher gave, in the Slavic folklore class [I remember]. It was the comparison and contrasting of traditional fertility rituals in rural areas of the Russia of long ago. The upshot of that lecture was that different groups of people can (and did) perform the exact opposite actions, even though both groups had the exact same goal: the intensification of the fertile capacity of the fields, in order to ensure a bountiful harvest and, thus, survival through the following winter.
 
When my father died, in 1990, having “drunk himself to death,” as I said, at the time, my grief was intensified by a combination of hatred, guilt and regret. Applying the lesson that Natasha taught in that folklore class, though, allowed me to re-examine my father’s life as well as my own relationship with him. I found myself able to forgive him for what I had considered to have been reprehensible actions, previously; and, while I do regret my own lack of wisdom and understanding, I’m able to forgive myself for that ignorance, too. And what might, forever, have been a monster tale was, appropriately, it turns out, shrunk to a human-scale tragedy or maybe “tragedy-of-errors.”

So, really, my road to becoming a healthy adult, instead of one so totally filled with rage as to have been incapacitated and unable to live any sort of healthy life, might have begun in the vicinity of that Slavic folklore class.
 
[Laughter]

OK, maybe that’s a little melodramatic. But it’s true nonetheless.
Larry Powers (College ’82)

Several teachers were among my favorites:

1) David Gies: David was a fabulous Spanish teacher (I took Spanish Cinema with him) because of his energy, enthusiasm, great stories and genuine interest in the Jeffersonian ideals of student-faculty interaction (via his work with the “take your professor out to lunch” program) and his pioneering of the Semester at Sea program.

2) Fernando Opere: Fernando’s passion for art and Spanish culture came through clearly in each of his classes; he is an incredibly engaging and fascinating professor as well as a performer. I actually nominated him for a teacher of the year award when I was at U.Va., and was pleased that the committee agreed with my praise for Opere.

3) Bob Chapel: Bob’s musical theatre class was definitely one of my very favorite classes at U.Va.; he is engaging, passionate and witty, and made the class a wonderful experience for drama pros and novices alike. Bob was a fabulous department chair and a wonderful mentor and teacher.

4) Gustavo Pellon: Gustavo was my adviser in the Spanish Department and a wonderful teacher. He is passionate about the subjects he teaches, and a wonderful mentor, friend and teacher who shares his enthusiasm for the subject while pushing you to do your best.

Hope this helps! It’s hard to pick just a few individuals. ...
Rebecca Menges (Spanish, Studio Art ’05)

I have fond memories of Robert Gooch. He was, many thought at the time, the epitome of what a Virginia man was all about. I had "Comparative Government" under Dr. Gooch, and whether I retained any of what he taught I'm not sure, but he was patient, pleasant, quick with a smile and an encouragement.
Peter LeQuire (Government '65)

Norman Graebner, Diplomatic History. His lectures were all but standing room only, in Wilson Hall. My most memorable class was the day he spoke about the French and Indian Wars. This lecture took place during the wind-down of the U.S. involvement in Vietnam, and a murmuring started in the class. We knew that Mr. Graebner was not speaking of the F & I Wars but of Vietnam. The parallels were staggering. Very good argument for history repeating itself.
G. Steven McKonly (Foreign Affairs '73)