Ohio Today Online Spring 2002
For Alumni and Friends of Ohio University
 

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Faculty members make for great memories

Father John Augustiniak

Connecting with students

I remember very well Father John Augustiniak. He was an adjunct professor during the 1970s when I was a student at OU. I remember him for two reasons.

First, he taught an extremely interesting class titled, I believe, Creative Thinking and Writing and was very accessible to students. I took his class during winter quarter, and I remember having many, many writing and group experience exercises.

One class in particular stood out when he brought in a picture of a laughing Jesus, published in Playboy. This picture showed Jesus having a tear-producing, rollicking, doubled-over, belly-shaking, good ol' laugh!

Father John also invited students to join him in his home for intellectual discussions that were usually reserved for honors students only. He believed that ALL students should be taught, stimulated and respected as if they were honors students. He often invited and challenged students to have discussions with him while he ate his meals in the dormitory dining hall. YES, he ate on campus! "Father John's Corner" was well attended.

Second, he officiated at my marriage ceremony. This was a rather complex undertaking, as he was not licensed to perform marriages in Ohio. Fortunately for us, he officiated at a couple's marriage prior to ours, and they actually drove to the state where he was ordained and physically filed his papers with the state of Ohio! My parents and all of the attendees were thoroughly charmed by him.

Shortly thereafter, he left the priesthood and married. He moved to Aspen, Colo., to teach and do research there. I often wonder where he is now. I miss our highly creative and stimulating discussions. He was a fantastic teacher in the fullest sense of the word.

Julia Zeitz Pennell AB '71
West Chester, Pa.