At Manchester, faculty work side by side with their students, inspire them to achieve, and establish lifelong relationships as mentors and as friends. Each professor teaches with his or her own style and strengths, and makes connections with students in unique ways.
Graduating seniors in the class of 2008 were asked, “Who was your favorite professor?” Read some of their answers and find out why students think Manchester professors are exceptional!
Dr. Mark Angelos, associate professor of history |
"He made me like history! History wasn’t very fun in high school, but Mark made it fun and interesting with his never boring classes. He also made me think about why things happened, which was great because I wasn’t so good at critical thinking before."
—Renee Satterthwaite
(Who else picked Mark Angelos as their favorite professor?) |
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Dr. Marcia Benjamin, professor of communication studies |
"Probably the only teacher who would give you her mother’s phone number. Opened my eyes to my true potential. Opened me to my creative and professional side with great confidence."
—Matt White
(Who else picked Marcia Benjamin as their favorite professor?) |
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Dr. Russell (Rusty) Coulter-Kern, associate professor of psychology |
"Professor Coulter-Kern has taught me a great deal throughout the past four years. He has been an educator, mentor and friend. He has provided many opportunities to use my skills through research and an internship. He always seemed to have the answers. I enjoyed his honesty and enthusiasm during class. Because of Rusty Coulter-kern, I feel confident about my knowledge of psychology and making the next step in my life. Thank you Dr. Rusty Coulter-Kern!"
—Leticia Bitner |
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Dr. Abigail Fuller, associate professor of sociology |
"Abby created such a welcoming environment and her lectures kept me interested. Her classes really made me think and reflect. Furthermore, she pushed me and made me look into my studies."
—Wendi Moon |
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Dr. Beate Gilliar, associate professor of English |
"Her classes are challenging but still manageable and fun. Beate creates a stimulating environment and her teaching methods are effective. She is a professor, but a friend and mentor above all."
—Amanda Ladig |
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Dr. Korrine Gust, assistant professor of education |
"As a mother herself, she understands what a hard job it can be, especially while attending school. Although her classes require work, you actually learn a lot. She answers your questions and if she doesn’t know the answer, she finds it. She is a very knowledgeable and passionate teacher who is excited to educate. Her class is one that through discussion, you can learn a lot."
—Jennifer Maciejewski |
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Dr. Susan Klein, associate professor of chemistry |
"Dr. Klein has been a great mentor and overall friend. From easy to hard times, she is the type of professor who is very approachable and fun to hang out with. It is extremely difficult for me to stay focused since I am four hours from home, but Dr. Klein is the one person I can talk to about issues and feel comfortable in any situation. Dr. Klein is a great friend even though she doesn’t have to be and a special thanks is not enough for what she does."
—David Walton
(Who else picked Susan Klein as their favorite professor?) |
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Dr. Mary Lahman, associate professor of communications studies |
"Mary was always there for me. She taught me even when I wasn’t expecting to learn. She helped me to think in 'both/and' rather than 'either/or' and I really appreciate everything she has done. I not only found an advisor and teacher in Mary, but a friend as well. I’m going to miss her! I hope she knows the lasting impression she has put on me and my life. Thank you Mary!"
—Megan Frick
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Dr. Debra Lynn, associate professor of music |
"In a nut shell, she has provided joy and a much needed laugh at those times when everything else is extremely stressful. She has taught me how easy it is to love the teaching profession and how to show that love for her students in and out of class. I truly believe that there are no words to explain how much I appreciate her love and support and thank her for all she has done for me. Keep doing what you’re doing because you’re a genius at it."
—Danielle Moeller |
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Tim Ogden, professor of business |
"His teaching abilities are great. He is a tough professor but I would rather take 50 of his hard classes and actually learn something than not take any at all. He is so smart yet is willing to help students on their level. He has helped me through personal problems and offered advice. I don’t really know how to thank him for everything but I want him to know how great I think he is. He is a great professor and is very passionate about his students and teaching and I hope he continues to share his abilities with students in coming years."
—Lindsey Helstern
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Ejenobo (Jena) Oke, instructor of art |
"You are such an inspiration. Your charisma, grace and wonderful warm personality have taught me so much, not only academically, but life lessons as well. You are a wonderful professor and a great person. It was such a pleasure to have been your student. I will never forget the wonderful things you have taught me and your contributions to my academic success. Thank you so much!"
—Kechi Onyeji |
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Dr. Benson Onyeji, associate professor of political science |
"He is the most supportive professor I know. He challenges you for the better. He always says that his utmost goal is for his students to succeed. I really appreciate him for making me believe in myself. I really mean it. I truly thank him from the bottom of my heart and may God bless him."
—Unsigned
(Who else picked Benson Onyeji as their favorite professor?) |
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Dr. Robert Pettit, professor of sociology and social work |
"Robert is a very down to earth guy. He establishes friendships with the students and is willing to talk to the students as equals. He makes his classes fun by using funny anecdotes that allows the material to stick without effort. He is passionate about the subject he teaches and that in turn makes the students passionate about those subjects."
—Ashley Bogue |
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Dr. John Planer, professor of music |
"Professor Planer’s class turned my world upside down with his enthusiasm, depth of knowledge about the arts, genuine love for his students and humanity, and the great thought he puts into what he does. I can’t say enough about how much I learned from him, not just about the arts, but also about how to be a good teacher. Thank you Professor Planer. I hope that someday, I will be a great educator like you.
p.s. I rented the Seventh Seal and made my brother watch it!"
—Rebecca Flanders
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Thelma Rohrer, instructor of art, director of international studies and academic enrichment |
"When I shyly walked in your office to ask about study abroad, I never imagined that I would receive my best mentor at Manchester. You have opened doors for me and given me the ability to become creative and stretch myself. I never imagined having two internships or adding a French minor to my degree. Because of you, I am a representative for the Art Department and for study abroad programs. I hope my actions have influenced others and I hope the department grows. I am braver than I ever imagined. Thank you for being a professor and a friend. You always made all those nights in Winger interesting."
—Krystal Poe |
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Heather Schilling, instructor of education |
"You’ve seen me during my best days and my worst, and you still agreed to teach me. You never stopped correcting my spelling but you never held it against me either. You taught me to only care about the important things. Last, but not least, you always inspired me. Thank you for your patience and love.
p.s. Tell Barbara and the rest of the education staff that I appreciate them too!"
—Jenny Mevis
(Who else picked Heather Schilling as their favorite professor?)
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Stacey Stetzel, instructor of education |
"She has believed in me my whole college career. Whenever I have needed her, she has been there. She also knows when I need more support but she never shows favorites. I remember when I was having a horrible day and I went to see her. She let me cry and get it all out, and then helped me solve the problem. I would not be where I am today without her. She has been my biggest supporter and I do not know what I would have done without her."
—Karly A. Van Ort
(Who else picked Stacey Stetzel as their favorite professor?) |
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Dr. Jerry Sweeten, assistant professor of biology, director of environmental studies |
"Professor Sweeten has truly made my dreams come true. He has been there for me throughout my entire time here at Manchester. Not only in the classroom but also in every aspect of my life! I have always dreamed about becoming a marine biologist and by coming to Manchester, I thought I was making a horrible decision. Because of Professor Sweeten, it has actually been one of the best decisions of my life. He has helped me achieve things I have never thought I would do, like SCUBA diving in the Bahamas and interning at the Shedd Aquarium. I am now well on my way to becoming the marine biologist I have dreamt of being my entire life. He really cares about his students and wants to see then succeed! I don’t know where I would be without all of his help and without him in my life. Thank you Professor Sweeten for everything!"
—Jami Schrader
(Who else picked Jerry Sweeten as their favorite professor?) |
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Dr. Janina Traxler, professor of French |
"For encouraging my learning potential and creating a dynamic environment. Her course, Life and Death, provoked an intrinsic curiosity to question life, living and learning."
—Unsigned |
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Dr. Jonathan Watson, associate professor of English |
"Professor Watson opened doors in my mind long closed. He has touched my life in virtually every area. I am a better and happier person for his classes. From great literatures and films to his shared wisdom, I am finally figuring out who I am and where I am headed. “Thank you” is just too little to say, yet our language does not give us many choices. So, thank you!"
—Unsigned |
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Dr. Leonard Williams, professor of political science |
"Thank you so much for being such a wonderful advisor, professor and mentor. Your encouragement and compassion for the field of Political Science has taught me so much along the way. I truly appreciate everything you have done for me over the past four years and I am honored to say that I am your student. Thank you so much for inspiring me to not just stop at being good but to strive to be great. I will never forget all that you have contributed to my academic success."
—Kechi Onyeji
(Who else picked Leonard Williams as their favorite professor?) |
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Dr. Gary Zimmerman, professor of psychology |
"He took the time and effort to get to know the student I was. He knows that my grades did not reflect my effort and abilities. Since my first year, he has kindly pushed me to do my best in the classroom and taught me many ways to look at our society. He is my favorite because he never doubted me."
—Jerome Bostic
(Who else picked Gary Zimmerman as their favorite professor?) |
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