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FALL 2020
From the Greek scholar-philosophers Socrates and Plato to the mythic professors portrayed by
John Gielgud in The Paper Chase and Laurence Fishburne in Higher Learning, the best teachers
have always been known for the indelible mark they leave on their students.
According to Merriam-Webster, to influence is "to affect or change someone …
in an indirect but usually important way." And that's just what our professors do.
The stories below span 70 years and bring this vital relationship to life. We also
turned the tables and asked professors to speak about how they make the most
out of the time they spend with students.
The arrival of COVID-19, which converted student-faculty relationships to
digital overnight, only reminds us of the crucial role professors play in our lives — to inspire us to
work harder, be curious, and step up our dreams.
influencers
