An Ode to Past Professors

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732322676995190327.post-35902016893472746192008-01-17T03:53:00.001+02:002008-03-31T05:18:00.770+02:00An Ode to Past ProfessorsAllan Brandt (historian, professor, author - The Cigarette Century) spoke at Writers' Group tonight, and it was the first time I've met him up close (though he lectured in our social medicine class last semester). He epitomizes what I love in professors - humor (often of the self-deprecating variety), down-to-earth expressions ("freaking out"), real humility, friendliness, and a broad social consciousness not restricted to pure academics. I haven't written much about medical school, my classes, or my professors because I've been apprehensive about venturing into the domain of administrative wrath (if I'm too critical) or peer wrath (if I'm too adulatory), but Professor Brandt inspired me to at least turn back to college and highlight those professors who made a difference in my life. Best Lecturer: A tie between Caroline Elkins and Louis Menand. Elkins (Historical Studies A-21, "Africa and Africans") did a superb job of condensing the history of a large continent into one semester, highlighting patterns and themes that will remain memorable long after the dates are forgotten. It's such a difficult and important subject, and she presented it with passion and intelligence. And she is a young mother. And a Pulitzer Prize winner. Menand (English 177, "Art and Thought of the Cold War") crafted each lecture with great skill, making a pithy social-historical-political-cultural point with dry humor. He made me think differently about art and philosophy, and now I'm semi-obssessed with finding an abstract oil painting that won't cost me more than $100 (which, by the way, is totally against the philosophy of the class). He also happens to be a Pulitzer Prize winner. Best Mentor: Marshall Ganz. Ganz (PAL-177, "Organizing: People, Power, and Change" at the Kennedy School) changed my standard for what makes a good professor. Unfortunately, I didn't have him until my senior spring (otherwise I might have been his groupie all 4 years of college), but he was the first professor who actually learned my name in a more-than-cursory way (no joke). He was also the first professor who ever read my papers - even my weekly response papers (!!). He helped us learn what community organizing is, how to do it, and why it is the best way to enact change in this world. He mentored me through my project in Dorchester to try to get a MBTA station there, and was always full of encouragement and straightforward insight. He walks the walk. Most Embodies Subject Matter: Ryuichi Abe. Abe (EAS 140, "Major Religious Texts of East Asia") is uniquely suited to teach this class on Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism. He is one of the most gentle, calm, and pleasant men (let alone Harvard professors) I have ever met. He has a reverence for the literature, ideas, and history that reminded me of the awe of a child (and a delightful chuckle to go along with it). I looked forward to this class every week, where a small group of us would discuss the reading and contemplate...life. And take a tea break in the middle (seriously). Best Science Professor: A tie between Andy Myers and Hidde Ploegh. Myers (Chem 20, "Organic Chemistry") is the most conscientious professor I've ever had. We had 9 AM lectures, and he would go in early to the chemistry building to practice his whole lecture beforehand, complete with chalkwork. This (and Chem 30) were perhaps the two classes that beat me down the most in undergrad, but I have to give Myers his due. He is brilliant, draws amazing things in chalk, and cares about helping his students reach their full potential. And he is a nice guy. Ploegh (MCB 169, "Molecular and Cellular Immunology") is, like Myers, a genius at the chalkboard. He had the advantage of dealing with much more fascinating material, but he really knows his stuff (and he knows he knows it). He also wears these great red shoes. And is able to draw mice more quickly than anyone else I know.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12194078107819036706noreply@blogger.com