TCNJ

31 FALL 2020 HUGH FORD English, emeritus I cannot pick up a book without thinking of him. I registered for Hugh Ford's World Literature class to satisfy a requirement even though I was a business major. As the semester progressed, Ford turned my desire for reading into an addiction. He invited me to his home; I was overwhelmed by books covering every surface. He encour- aged me to take a creative writing course and to read more serious literature. I remember that two-hour discussion from decades ago as vividly as if it were yesterday. To this day I cannot look at a book without thinking of Ford and silently thanking him. — John Cartright '73 Faculty talk TCNJ professors are boss when it comes to knowing what our high-achieving undergraduates need and how to challenge them. MARCIA O'CONNELL Biology I'm gentle, but honest with students. I once had a student who was taking biology courses, though he was not in the major. He struggled tremendously. Over the next three years he visited me in my office every semester, and the conversation was always the same. Me: Maybe you just haven't found your passion — are you sure you don't want to create a new path for yourself ? Him: I am going to medical school, so please tell me what I need to do to get there. Fast-forward to about five years later. I am in my office, and who knocks on my door but this young man. "I just had to stop by and tell you that I've found my true passion — and it is not medical school," he said. "I love my new career as a nutritionist. You were the only person who ever challenged me to find my own passion, and you never turned me away when I needed to talk." SARAH MONACO Education We build each course together. As equal stakeholders, my students and I co-design course topics, assignments, and activities. Students develop goals to challenge themselves — and I meet with them frequently to make sure they are achieving those goals. The final product is always greater than any of us could have achieved alone. Faculty talk continued on page 33 "Ford turned my desire for reading into an addiction." LEON WOLCOTT (d. 1992) Sociology Teaching was his life. He was a mystery man on campus. He was a private person and never told us anything about his life away from the classroom. Perhaps being remembered as an outstanding teacher after more than 70 years is tribute enough! — Eileen Olsen Fancher '49

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