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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

Edgar Whan, David Keck, Jeff Connor A trio beyond compare I enjoy reading Ohio Today and keeping up on all the news at OU, and I was intrigued by your sidebar, "Who's Your Favorite Prof?" in the fall 2001 edition. I am happy to say that I can recall numerous examples of excellent instruction at Ohio U., but there are a few that I'd like to mention in more detail. First, from the English Department: (Professor Emeritus) Edgar Whan. Every one of his classes taught me to read more critically, to think more deeply and to communicate better. But his biggest gift as a teacher was the unabashed joy that he took in the company of a group of students. He was truly interested in our ideas and valued them and us to the highest degree. Second, from the Math Department: (Associate Professor) David Keck. I had Dr. Keck for probably seven or eight classes in my undergraduate and graduate careers at Ohio, and I could easily fill your whole next issue with praise for him. Again, energy and enthusiasm for the classroom are his hallmarks, but beyond that he has a gift that crosses several levels of mathematics instruction. He excels at teaching in both the highest, most theoretical levels and the most rudimentary. He brings mathematics to life for his students and keeps them with the story of what's going on. Math is the furthest from a dry, computational subject in his hands. He, like Dr. Whan, loves to be with students, and it shows. The best advertisement for him that I can offer is that I try, every day, in my job as assistant professor at Washington & Jefferson College, to be the kind of teacher he is. His love of mathematics turned me into a math lover, too, and I pursued a doctorate at Ohio in large part because of him. Last, my doctoral degree adviser, (Associate Professor of Mathematics) Jeff Connor. I could fill another book with good things about him. I had the typical love-hate relationship that you are supposed to have with your doctoral adviser with Jeff. He took a not-too-confident graduate student and turned her into a monster (but in the best of ways). He never felt that his job stopped with just my class work. He was instrumental in my professional development, and he has worked with me in these years since my graduation until I was in a good position and poised to be granted tenure. My college has been very complimentary of my work, and I credit Jeff Connor with teaching me how to do my job on the other side of the desk. I owe so much to him. I cannot begin to list what he's done or to pay him back for his tireless commitment to me. I welcome any opportunity to talk about Dr. Whan, Dr. Keck or Dr. Connor, and numerous other folks (Dr. Dave Heaton in English, Fritz Hagerman in biology, to name a few). Jenny Kline, BS '86, MS '88, PHD '95 Washington, Pa.