HOME | FEATURES | DEPARTMENTS | CLASS NOTES | BACK ISSUES | OHIO FRONT DOOR

 

William Day Frederick Hagerman Stephen Hays, James Andrews Steve Hays Rodney Hood Seldon Strother Jack Matthews L.J. Hortin Gerald Dykstra Victor Whitehouse, Albert Gubitz, Gerald Dykstra Donald Clippinger Robert DeMott Walt Abendroth Edgar Whan, David Keck, Jeff Connor Seabury Quinn Ronald Socciarelli, Harold Robison, James Stewart Guido Stempel Father John Augustiniak Robin Lacy Robert Baker Waltraud Bald Janet Slater Karen Nulf Robert Winters Richard Danner, Dru Evarts, Daniel Keyes Hugh Bloemer Ralph Kliesch Art Marinelli Jr. Paul Hersey

Hugh Bloemer A lesson in 'Hakuna Matata' Even before Disney's "The Lion King" was singing the praises of "Hakuna Matata," (Associate Professor of Geography Hubertus (Hugh) L. Bloemer was stating his daily philosophy of "Hakuna Matata" based on his travels. Maybe Dr. Bloemer had "no worries" because he is so satisfied with his job and Ohio University. Dr. Bloemer has inspired every geographer/cartographer to come though Ohio U. His personal attention and dedication to his students shows in every aspect of his professional life. Not that I can list all the memories, but here are my favorite ones. When I was an undergrad, I knew that I wanted to go to law school. However, I was determined to receive a science background and loved my environmental geography major (which makes sense because I planned on practicing environmental law). I explained to Dr. Bloemer that I wanted a broader course of classes, including poetry, political science, etc., but that the administrative duplications of a double major just did not make sense, given that I still could not take the broad range of classes that I desired. With Dr. Bloemer's oversight and urging, we created a curriculum for a new major. He put me in contact with the curriculum board, and environmental geography pre-law was created. It continues to be a growing and viable major at OU, and Dr. Bloemer still oversees its students. While I think that shows his dedication to the Geography Department and the academic offerings at OU, another important anecdote is of a fellow geography student who also desired to go to law school. Unfortunately, she did not have the funds to apply. Between applications and testing, applying to law school can be daunting in terms of both time and money. Dr. Bloemer encouraged her to attend, saying that he would loan her the money from his own pocket, to be repaid when (she was) able. The most important quality about a professor, however, is his or her teaching philosophy and ability. Dr. Bloemer's classroom experience was one of a kind. I remember that he would fire questions to the class, demanding an immediate, correct, answer. You always knew that his tests would reflect that same focus. In one class I recall that Hugh had students doing oral presentations on environmental plans for a community. He would say to scared or nervous students to "do it now." "When are you going to learn to speak in public? During your first job? When your professional reputation is on the line?" He challenged students to overcome their fears and build on their strengths at OU, surrounded by people who cared, so that when we graduated we would have the tools for success. All and all, through undergraduate studies and law school, "Dr. B" is still my favorite prof. When I come to Athens to present at the College of Arts and Science's Pre-Law Day, I remind students about "Hakuna Matata" and to "do it now." Kristina Michelson Tridico, BS '96 Indianapolis, Ind.