I remember the patience and
kindness of Dr. Clark Cross, professor of geography. He told us about his
trips to Alaska every summer; I could hardly wait to go. In our mapping
class, he showed us aerial photographs of the missiles in Cuba right after
they were discovered. He made it all so exciting and explained the
implications to us. I now teach geography at the University of Tennessee
at Chattanooga, and I try to pass along the dedication and genuine interest
that Dr. Cross showed for his students and his subject. Since graduating
from Florida, I have been all over the world many times, and it was Cross's
stories of glaciers, jungles, sinkholes, etc. that sent me packing for
parts unknown. We had a wonderful geography department at Florida
in the Sixties. It was exciting to have been a small part of it,
and I will be forever grateful to Dr. Cross and the many other professors
who made it such a stimulating place.
Alice Luthy Tym (BA '64, MA '66)
In response to your request
for interesting anecdotes about professors, I would like to recount one
of my classes with my favorite professor, Dr. Keith Legg. Dr. Legg
was a political science professor who, in addition to advanced courses,
taught basic political science courses that required a large lecture hall.
On one particular evening,
his lecture (in an auditorium-style hall) was quite full. Professor
Legg walked into the class, put down his books, gazed at the assemblage
and said in a loud voice, "Will everyone please rise." Naturally,
the entire assemblage rose on cue. Professor Legg turned to the small
boy seated next to him, grinned, turned back to the class of students and
said, "My son didn't believe that I had power, you can all sit down."
This typifies the humor and
attitude that Professor Legg brought to all of his classes. He was
an excellent teacher, serious when appropriate, and he always kept reality
in context.
Joseph S. Silver (BA Poli Sci, '75; JD, '78)
No teacher ever made a more
lasting impression on me than Dr. Robert Carson. I expect you will
receive other fond remembrances of him, many more eloquent than mine.
Far from simply lecturing about the humanities, he brought them alive in
the classroom. An accomplished painter, he devoted a class to painting
a picture. It was exciting to see that white canvas take on the image
of a dark, brooding gothic cathedral. When the course turned to music,
he brought his viola and played for us. He was second chair viola
in the university symphony orchestra, as I recall. Although he never
quite convinced me that modern assemblies of welded bicycle spokes and
assorted junk was art, we had some rollicking debates about it. As
a token of appreciation, I used my lapidary skill to make him a malachite
tie clasp. He accepted my gift, then offered me one of his paintings
in return! I didn't take it because he had given me enough already.
I could kick myself now, though, because I wish I had a tangible reminder
of this wonderful teacher.
Wayne E. Tutt (BS '67)
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As an undergraduate, there
were two professors that I not only regarded as great teachers, but also
as great personalities, and I consider it an honor to have been under their
instruction. Professor Manning Dauer was an unforgettable story to
any of his students, and I believe that he is a legend at UF even to this
day. Although many jokes were made about the fact that he could never
match up his socks, he could certainly match up his students with the information
and learning that he wished them to receive. Professor Ernest Bartley,
a tall and distinguished professor, had a streak of humor about as wide
as an elephant. His classes were a revelation in political science,
but you certainly had to remember to keep your assignments up to date and
your thinking cap squarely planted on your head.
Also, although I never took
classes from Sam Proctor, he was the advisor to my fraternity, and I had
the opportunity to work with him and get to know him and his wonderful
wife for a period of many years?even after graduation. He embodies
every single attribute that I believe a fine professor and a fine person
should have.
Shepard Lesser (BA '57, JD '60)
Iread with sadness, in the
Fall 1997 issue of the Alumni CLASnotes, of the recent death of Professor
David Niddrie. Professor Niddrie shepherded my MA proposal through
at least 12 versions, followed my field work with interest, and helped
me sift through data and focus closely on the two major themes of my thesis.
Perhaps most importantly, he took an interest in how the actual writing
of the thesis was coming along on a weekly basis. His tutelage and
helpful, concrete suggestions improved my writing and organizational abilities
vastly.
I have no idea how many of
his former students you have heard from, but I am certain that his influence
on me is not unique?he supervised many theses and dissertations and shepherded
many students to completion of their work and their degrees. I am
frequently reminded these days of what a good, solid, supportive advisor
he was, as I speak with grad student acquaintances of mine attending one
school or another, where they are locked in huge battles with their advisors
and hostility has destroyed what should be a thoughtful working relationship.
The outcome of this is (or will be) non-completion of a thesis and no degree
granted after sometimes years of work on proposals, research, and writing.
I am very, very grateful to have had Professor Niddrie take such a strong
interest in my project from beginning to end.
Frances L. Fryberger (MS Geography, '73)
Keep in touch
We'd love to include an update about you in the "Alumni News" section
of our next issue. Please fill us in. Include your full name,
graduation year, degree and major. Pictures are welcomed.
Return to: Jane Gibson, Editor, Alumni CLAS notes, 2014 Turlington
Hall, PO Box 117300, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.
e-mail: jgibson@clas.ufl.edu |
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