In the October 2003 issue of Iowa Alumni Magazine, we published an article about the College of Education and asked readers to tell us about the UI teachers who had a profound impact on their lives. We published some responses in the April 2004 magazine; here are some more reader memories:

Deborah Bremer

The UI teacher who had the greatest impact on me? Deborah Bremer [85MFA], an acting instructor circa 1983-84.

At a very difficult time in my life, when I didn’t care whether I lived or died, Deborah demonstrated genuine concern for me. She didn’t condemn me for mistakes I had made. At the same time, she did hold me accountable for my actions. When I felt worthless, Deborah treated me as a person who had value.

Now I am a campus pastor, and I have the privilege of helping college students who feel worthless see their value. Thank you, Deborah!

Pastor Greg Fairow, 95BA
Madison

Professor Arch Coolidge

I read the article in your October 2003 magazine calling for memories of inspirational UI teachers, and I couldn’t resist writing. Professor Arch Coolidge (now retired) transformed my world when I enrolled in his “19th and 20th Century British Literature” course my sophomore year. His enthusiasm and energy for the works and authors projected onto me during his captivating lectures. Professor Coolidge’s class prompted me to change my major, enroll in several more of his courses, and passionately study the Victorian era in my leisure time.

I was blessed to be in the professor’s last class and last lecture before his retirement. I do hope he revisits the University of Iowa as a guest lecturer in the next few years so my younger brother can also be touched by Professor Coolidge’s knowledge and enthusiasm!

Angie Ruger, 01BA
Chicago

Dr. James Fuller

My mentor would have to be Dr. James Fuller, [62DDS, 72MS], a retired faculty member from the College of Dentistry. While I was a dental hygiene student at Iowa, I was a student in one of Dr. Fuller’s classes. On several occasions, he pulled me aside and told me I was in the wrong program, that I should be going to dental school to become a dentist.

I had always wanted to go to dental school, but my sister and I were the first in my extended family ever to go to college—and anyway, this was in 1975, when there were very few females in dentistry. But, his words of encouragement inspired me to eventually apply to dental school, where I finished in the top of my class at Marquette University in 1984, and I then went on to complete postgraduate studies in periodontics at Louisiana State University.

I have been a practicing periodontist in Baton Rouge for the past 17 years. I was the first female board certified periodontist in Louisiana and the first female president of both our component dental association and the Louisiana Society of Periodontists.

Without Dr. Fuller’s encouragement, I don’t think I would have taken those first steps towards this career. I currently serve as a mentor to undergraduate students (both male and female) at LSU and teach part-time at the School of Dentistry. In doing so, I hope to give back a small part of what Dr. Fuller gave to me.

Kathy “Kate” Marien Abbott, 77BS
Baton Rouge

Dr. Elizabeth Halsey

My entire University of Iowa experience influenced my life and my choice of careers. Dr. Elizabeth Halsey was the head of the Department of Physical Education for Women. She kept a close eye on the majors in the department and gave us wonderful encouragement. In fact, she was responsible for getting me my only job of 37 years. Dr. Pattric Ruth O’Keefe, head of physical education in the Kansas City Schools, was teaching summer school at Iowa in 1948. She asked Dr. Halsey if she knew of a recent graduate who was interested in elementary physical education. And Dr. Halsey gave her my name. I have always been grateful to her. But I must also give a lot of credit to the graduate assistants who taught all of our physical education skills classes. They were outstanding, and they, too, greatly influenced my teaching career. Hats off to them and to Dr. Halsey!

Colleen Adams, 48BSPE
Kansas City

John Harvey

I truly feel that I received a world-class education at the University of Iowa. My classes featured some extraordinary professors who were not only experts in their fields of study, but who also encouraged their students to become critical thinkers and academicians in their own right. They say your education is what you take with you after you have forgotten everything you were tested on. Lucky for me, my great education at Iowa allowed me to take a lot away.

I had my first class—“Introduction to Social Psychology”—with John Harvey my freshman year. I was so impressed from the start that I just knew it was going to be a great learning experience. And it was. I found myself looking forward to every lecture, every paper, every group project. My mind was always engaged and I couldn’t believe how he made psychology so accessible and applicable to everyday life.

The next year, I enrolled in Dr. Harvey’s “Loss and Trauma” course. It covered difficult subjects such as the Holocaust, suicide, and disasters in a way that students almost forgot they were in a psychology class. His lectures were intriguing, moving, and there were days we departed in silent thought and reflection. Toward the end of the semester, I asked John how I might get involved in the department and his research. His response stunned me. He not only complimented me on my performance in his classes, but also asked me to join his team of undergraduate TAs—and if I would be interested in working on some of his research projects. It was an offer that I believe changed the course of my life.

Over the next year and a half, John became my mentor. I served as one of his TAs (becoming the lead TA my senior year), collected data, and co-authored a book review and a book chapter on loss. He encouraged me to do something that my faculty advisor had said wasn’t possible—pursue my master’s. He assured me that my low “C” in statistics would not prevent me from getting into a great school. He told me that he believed in me. Despite his incredibly busy schedule, he helped me search for programs, apply to schools, and prepare for the GRE. He probably spent hours talking through my fears, hopes, and goals for the future. He made me feel confident about the direction I was headed and showed how much he cared for me as a person. He went so above and beyond what any person could ever hope for from a friend—let alone a professor. John Harvey was both.

Needless to say, Dr. Harvey’s guidance and efforts paid off immensely. I was accepted to a master’s program in experimental psychology at Western Illinois University and successfully completed my degree and thesis. Marriott International hired me right out of school to work in its senior living services division. I quickly moved up the ladder to director of lifestyle and leisure services for one of the Chicago branches. Eventually, I returned to my “roots” in education and, in August of 2002, was hired by American Intercontinental University’s online division. I now sit as the dean of matriculation for the academics department. I feel I have come so far, and really, my professional life is just beginning.

I don’t think a day goes by that I don’t reflect on where I’ve been. I think about my supporters—friends, family, teachers, colleagues—and John Harvey’s name always comes to mind. I haven’t kept in touch like I should have; I need to drop him a line soon. I want to share my new role and let him know that he played a part. I know my experience might not be the norm. But my sincere hope is for every person’s life to be touched by someone who sees that little light of potential—even when we can’t see it for ourselves.

Tamara Huff Fisher, 99BA
Roselle, Illinois

Donald Justice

I can’t choose which teacher at Iowa was more important to my career—Donald Justice, 54PhD, at the Writers’ Workshop or Cosmo Catalano in the theater department. After reading a poem I had submitted to the workshop, Justice said to me: “The last line is the best. Start your next poem with your best line and see where it takes you.” Catalano looked at my wacky black comedy, which would take us both to Washington for the American College Theater Festival, and said: “Don’t ever let anyone talk you out of writing like this.” I carry their words in my head.

Darrah Cloud, 80MFA, 84MFA
Standfordville, New York

Professor Leo W. Schwarz

I’d like to honor Professor Leo W. Schwarz’s memory. He was so good at what he did, and his passion for teaching changed how I imagined teaching could be.

He was a visiting professor of Jewish Studies in the Department of Religion for two years. I was an undergraduate and the only full-time female Jewish student in the department. As soon as we were introduced, we clicked. In his booming and resonate voice, he inquired if I were in a peripatetic mood and asked for a tour of the town.

Aside from the general courses he taught, I spent two years of independent Hebrew instruction with him. He gave those translations of the Bible so much flavor that when I got to graduate school, I could hold my own with the rabbinical students. Periodically, he would put me on a train to Des Moines where I studied with one of his colleagues. Occasionally, he would come to watch me teach Hebrew school at Agudas Achim Synagogue. He would praise and encourage me and, when I told him that some of my reading skills were weak, he went with me to daily 7 a.m. morning services.

Because I had to work my way through school, Professor Schwarz often gave me his books and fed me frequently. He was gracious to the end. We saw each other
until his death in 1967. He had no children, so I light a candle each year to keep his memory alive.

I am a Hebrew teacher and prepare children for their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. When people appreciate my zeal, I remember my mentor.

Kelli Shor Richman, 63BA
Morganville, New Jersey

Surline Winder

It was an undergraduate speech clinician, not a teacher, who had the greatest impact on my future. Her name was Surline Winder, 58BA, and she just passed away this past May. For whatever reason, Ms. Winder decided that it would be good for me to come and speak to her speech pathology class about my stuttering. Small but mighty, she had a powerful effect on me because public speaking was something I had studiously avoided. Long story made short: I mustered up my courage, did a pretty good job, and convinced myself that I actually could speak before a group. She stoked my self-confidence by telling me how I’d impressed her class. As a queasy-legged sophomore, that was powerful stuff. I went on to a 40-year career in retail management that involved lots of presentations and public speaking. To my regret, I never thanked her. So, wherever you are Ms. Winder, please know that you did a good job in getting me out of my shell!

Jim Hamblin, 59BA
Fountain Hills, Arizona