On Topic

By Cornell Report Staff

“Which faculty member had the biggest impact on you?”

Bob Topor '89“As I reflect upon my experiences as a Spanish teacher, Carol Lacy-Salazar is an educator I have tried to emulate. Carol created a supportive learning environment that fostered my love of the Spanish language. Carol encouraged me to delve further into the Spanish culture by participating in Spanish Theatre at Cornell and by studying for a block with her in Spain. As I continue to give my students similar experiences, I am so thankful to Carol for inspiring me.”

Bob Topor ’89
Downers Grove, Illinois

Kathleen Braddy '92“Dr. John Gruber-Miller was my first professor at Cornell, and his excellent teaching and kind, funny personality not only shaped my Cornell experience and doubled my major but continue to impact my life. Over all four years at Cornell, Dr. Gruber-Miller’s one page essay assignments, and his subsequent critiques and corrections, taught me to focus and prove my point with concise writing. In my senior year, Dr. Gruber-Miller’s encouragement to review the strength and complexity of women in classical literature broadened and continues to reinforce my feminist perspective.”

Kathleen Braddy ’92
Duluth, Minnesota

Husani Newbold '18“My advisor, Professor [of Economics and Business] Jerome Savitsky, has had a positive effect by pushing me. He’s one of the toughest teachers I’ve ever had. He won’t hold your hand, but he’ll help you to understand the material. The problem-solving skills I’ve gained in his classes are something I’ll take to the workplace. If you can do his equations, you can learn how to do anything.”

Husani Newbold ’18
The Bahamas

Shelby Ardell '20“Jenny Kelchen. I came to Cornell wanting to be an actor and makeup artist, and she has supported, inspired, and taught me so much. She allowed me to be the assistant to the costume designers on ‘Triggered,’ the dance concert, as a first-year, and to be the assistant costume designer on ‘Complete History of America (Abridged)’ as a sophomore, giving me responsibilities and allowing me to make design choices.”

Shelby Ardell ’20
Houston, Texas