Mentors in the Making

A national survey gives the College very high marks for its faculty, so we conducted a local Asurvey and asked an unscientific sampling of undergraduates: During your career at Dartmouth, which professor has influenced you the most— and how.- I he responses revealed a cross-section of profs. Here are some of the results.

Matt Maserati '99: "Professors DeanWilcox and David Glueck (cheimstn 5 and 6) were the most influential. I came to Dartmouth imerested in genetics but detesting and fearing chemistry. These two professors completely turned around my perceptions. I now intend to be a chemistry major"

Another chemistry prof who received a mention was Robert Ditchfield. nominated by Sarah Valkenburgh '99: "His enthusiasm and energy sparked my interesrin chemistry and my continued interest in medicine."

Courtney Vanyo '99, on physics and astronomy professor Delo Mook: "He is probably the most devoted professor on this whole entire campus. Not only did he put tons of time and thought into his classes arid lectures, he is the most accessible professor. He insisted on finding a way that was better forme to learn. He wouldn't let me get down on myself. It was more than encouragement though, it was his personal belief in my ability to be successful."

Another science teacher. Professor Samuel Velez, was the nominee of Sara Clark '97. "He didn't just teach a wondertulh interesting class on neurobiology, he gave it so much of his " own energy and enthusiasm that the material nearly taught itself. I really felt as though he was personally invested in my experience and progress in the. class. Professor Veléz gave me the opportunity to experience learn tug from someone who really loved both what he was teaching and teaching itself."

From Todd Nicotra '97: "Professor Jere Daniell '55 turned me on to history by making itfun and exciting. He encouraged students to write papers on what really interested them, bethat a minute detail of history or a large episode. It is thanks to him that I decided to major inhistory and am considering teaching history myself."

Bess Tortolani '98 praised a visiting assistant professor of education, Randy-Michael Testa, for teaching "with a lot of emotion, using his experiences to help us understand what it's like 'out there.'"

Our random sample concludes with the only prof who received two votes: associateprofessor Terry Osborne of the English Department. Senior Natasha Lam said this"amazing, dynamic professor defies the stereotype of the stuffy, condescending professorHe is passionate about his work." Sophomore Lauren Allan-Vail echoed this thought: "His English 5 class was exciting and dynamic and he gave me a jot of confidence in my writing abilities. I decided to pursue my interests in creative writing andEnglish because of him."

Real Dartmouth students don't get starry-eyed about all their profs, though some are clearly stellar.