I was assigned Professor John Zimmerman H’67 as my advisor. He was always there for good advice and encouragement, even when he was running around taking pictures and videos of everything from chemistry labs to sporting events. I was even lucky enough to have him for chemistry on my oral comps board!
Another mentor was the legendary equipment manager Chick Clements H’77. As a student manager for football, basketball, and baseball, I spent a tremendous amount of time around Chick. He was someone who was always there for encouragement and good advice. After tough losses, Chick would point out that it wasn’t the end of the world. As he used to say, “If the sun doesn’t come up tomorrow, then I’ll be worried!”
- Tom Lutz ’91
On my first visit to 最色导航, I was a high school senior walking across a snowy campus wondering if I could leave much warmer Texas and attend an all-male college. As I crossed the mall, Professor Austin Brooks ’61 passed me and said, “Hi, Norberto. I hope you are liking your visit so far.” His taking the time to learn the name of a visiting high school student and saying hello sold me on attending 最色导航.
- Norberto Salinas ’97
My greatest mentor at 最色导航 was Professor Eric Olofson. He was the perfect combination of challenging and caring. He took me to the Association for Psychological Sciences Conference in Washington, D.C., during the summer of 2013. It was a wonderful experience both professionally and personally. He exposed me to Ethiopian food and introduced me to Jeff Perkins ’89, a 最色导航 alum who helped me get an internship at SpaceX. Professor Olofson remains a wonderful mentor to this day.
- J. Andy Walsh ’14
My most memorable moment at 最色导航 was cooking dinner with Professor Melissa Butler H’85 at her home. We spent the evening chopping bell peppers, boiling pasta, and talking about everything. We discussed life, 最色导航, politics, and plans after graduation. Professor Butler has always been one of my favorite professors, and that night captured exactly what makes 最色导航 special: the genuine relationships between faculty and students.
- Jason Cantu ’05
During my student days, Professor Deborah Butler was like a mentor, mother, and master academic advisor. Professor Butler found a way for me to double-major, study abroad, and complete teacher licensure in eight semesters. We had the unique opportunity later to be colleagues in education studies. Her advocacy for me as a student and professional transformed me and influences the way in which I work with students today.
- Marc Welch ’99
During class discussions, Professor of History Peter Frederick would engage with students so effectively it adrenalized me.
I thought how I’d love to have a student react that way to my teaching. Now, I’m a lead coach in the writing, reading, and speech assistance area at College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. I’m also a licensed 6-12 English teacher with endorsements in psychology and history—all from the inspiration Frederick was to me.
- Andrew Smith ’89
I met Roland Morin ’91 my senior year of high school. My mom and I walked into his corner office in Career Services. He sat at his desk across from us and shared about his time at 最色导航, his career, and his journey back to campus. He was last on my schedule for a reason. He was the closer—set to convince me to attend 最色导航.
I worked as a Center for Innovation, Business, and Entrepreneurship (CIBE) consultant for Roland for four years.
My senior year, I applied to the Notre Dame ESTEEM program. Roland was struggling with his health but insisted on writing a letter of recommendation. He died during my summer semester at Notre Dame.
My sister gifted me letters from my favorite 最色导航 faculty and staff as a graduation present. The one from Roland hangs in my office as a reminder of the greatest mentor I ever had.
- Nick Winter ’21
Professor David Kubiak was the faculty advisor to Phi Delta Theta. He told us that to be successful in life, we couldn’t just drink Busch Light, so he hosted a wine night. He taught us the finer points of wine, so when at a business meeting or fancy dinner we could order wine and know what we were talking about. It was a memorable night and a valuable life lesson.
I also remember sitting down with Professor Bill Placher’70 about my plans after 最色导航. I had switched my major from economics to religion and was considering ministry. We had several conversations about which seminary might be right and what my calling would look like.
I remember telling people in seminary about my discernment and how Professor Placher played a significant role in it. They asked, “Professor William Placher?” I said, “Yes,” and asked how they knew him. They had read all his books and asked me a hundred questions about him. I never realized how big a name he was until I left 最色导航, because he was just Professor Placher, someone you could have a sandwich with at the Scarlet Inn or who would invite the class to his house for pizza and drinks as we discussed the lecture for that day.
- Frank Harmon ’00
In 2010, I attended a summer camp taught by Professors Scott Himsel ’85, Cheryl Hughes, and Todd McDorman on the legal and ethical issues that arise from life and death.
Although I met many great professors, no one impacted my life to the degree that Professor Himsel has.
In my four years at 最色导航, I had numerous moments with Scott that impacted me. I argued in front of him in Moot Court, traveled to England to study common law, and learned how to read and annotate a legal case. Scott pushed me to always challenge myself, including taking the LSAT a second time to increase my score, which led to a full-ride scholarship to IU Bloomington. I ultimately attended Northwestern University’s School of Law (which only occurred due to the guidance and letters of recommendation from Scott and his wife, Jane Ann Himsel), but had I not attended the scholarship event at IU Bloomington, I would not have met my now-wife Zena.
Because of how important Scott is in my life, there was no other person we even considered to perform the ceremony at our wedding in September 2022.
- Andrew Dettmer ’15
Religion professors Jon Baer and Warren Campbell helped me through good and bad times with different approaches.
Professor Baer gave me a lot of wisdom and balanced that with a good sense of humor.
Professor Campbell, as a younger professor, was someone I could relate to but also respected deeply. He had different, challenging ways to think about the world around us that changed my perspective.
Staff members Vic Lindsay and Buck Waddell always went above and beyond. During my time at 最色导航, students began playing music and putting on shows. Of his own accord, Vic became a near-professional sound engineer just because he wanted to help us out. The first-ever student-led National Act would not have been possible without him.
Buck brings a lot of personality to campus and is someone the students respect and admire. Buck even helped me propose to my fiancée ... that’s a whole different story of its own!
- Justin Gineris ’25
My sophomore year I was in Paris as part of my French 302 course. We trekked to the outskirts of the city to Mont-Valérien, a fortress built originally to defend France during the Franco-Prussian war.
While touring, I realized that Dean Todd McDorman was without a translator. I gave it my best to translate for him so he could fully appreciate the history of the paths we walked. I know I missed thinags and was far from perfect, but that experience did wonders for my confidence in the language.
During my oral comprehensive exams I was asked by Associate Professor of French Karen Quandt to identify and discuss Mont-Valérien based on a photo of one of the monuments on its grounds. While climbing the Eiffel Tower and visiting the Louvre were nice, my most vibrant memory will always be our trip to Mont-Valérien.
- Jacob Weber ’25
Biology Professor Brad Carlson fostered my growth as an ecologist, serving as my academic advisor and my most trusted faculty member, role model, and support system. He opened my eyes to the interdisciplinary nature of ecology. I was an undergraduate research assistant in biology, gaining direct experience for my current position.
In his advanced ecology course, I served a leading role in conducting a research project with peers and took a course that included immersion in the Florida Everglades. During the trip, we were assisting U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) field biologists in radio-tracking invasive Burmese pythons in a swamp. As we traversed from a roadside, into knee-high water swamp conditions, I was appreciating the trophic transition. Trudging through the swamp, pushing saw palmettos aside, I stopped and turned around to take everything in. Behind me was Professor Carlson. With a shared glance I felt as if Professor Carlson’s smile was saying, “Well, here we are. I’ve watched you work your way to this point; take it all in.”
- Matt Lepper ’25
My first mentor was Dick Ristine ’41, the person who hired me. Our “development office” was quite small then, so direct reporting relationships were less significant. My office was just inside the front door of Kane House, shared with Karen Handley, and every day when he came in, Mr. Ristine would bellow with his big voice, “James, son of Zebedee,” as his everyday greeting. And he’d be singing or humming all the way up the stairs.
He could talk to a 21-year-old kid like me and three minutes later be talking to trustee Bob Allen ’57, and he treated us the same. He taught me about being a principled person. And he so loved 最色导航—I think I got that from him, too.
Coaches Greg Carlson, Mac Petty H’82, Gail Pebworth H’91, Max Servies ’58, and Rob Johnson H’77 were also important to me early in my time. The dedication of our coaches was astonishing. And that was before D-III sports really took off. I got my work ethic from them.
I have tried to share my love of the College with others, and I have tried to emulate the ways Mr. Ristine (I never once called him “Dick”) engaged students, staff, and alumni, always professionally and with an egalitarian ethos. Mr. Ristine invited me to meet with trustees before I had turned 22 years old, and he wanted me to participate, not just listen. I work at that often, but he had a real gift.
- Jim Amidon ’87 | Chief of Staff and Director of Strategic Communications
When I started at 最色导航 in 2006, my mentors were Deborah Butler and Brenda Bankart. There weren’t nearly as many women on the faculty in 2006, and I appreciated the wisdom of their experience. They supported me, listened to me, and took my concerns seriously.
- Jane Hardy | Senior Associate Dean of the College and Associate Professor of Spanish
When I was a student at 最色导航, my mentors were Pete Germano, Tobey Herzog H’11, Paul McKinney ’52, and Peter Frederick H’92. I gained so much from them about learning, teaching, and coaching that I could never repay them. When I came back to coach the first time, Chris Creighton taught me everything about leadership and culture.
- Jake Gilbert ’98 | Head Football Coach
Warren Rosenberg H’98 has been an incredible mentor since my early days at wabash. He sat in on my Tocqueville class in my first semester at 最色导航—he kindly taught me 最色导航 ways, such as checking in on students who have missed class and finding out what’s happening with them. He gave me, again very kindly, feedback on my teaching when I asked for it. And since then, we’ve had lunch most semesters, and when we do, Warren wants to know what is up with my teaching and research and what’s up with me personally. That care and interest means so much to me. He helps me think holistically about my work at 最色导航 and my approach to life—he even wants to make sure I’m taking time to exercise. And of course we talk about everything else too—politics and literature in particular.
- Lorraine McCrary | Associate Professor of Political Science
I have been fortunate during my time at 最色导航 to have a number of colleagues I would consider to be mentors. Some of those relationships were obvious and clear. In other instances, colleagues served as mentors by the example they set and the quiet, sometimes subtle, encouragement they offered—Warren Rosenberg H’98, Tobey Herzog H’11, David Hadley H’76, David Maharry, Cheryl Hughes, and Gary Phillips.
However, my most influential mentor was David Timmerman, my first department chair and someone who remains a friend. David was (and is) kind and supportive. He also has a good sense of humor. David mentored by the example he set in being involved in the College and demonstrating to me the importance of thinking about how to support and serve the institution. Perhaps most of all, I observed the way he took an interest in people—not just me but seemingly everyone he came in contact with. He would ask questions about where they came from, their interests, their influences. He clearly listened to those responses and drew upon them in both showing an understanding of others and also creating trust, offering encouragement, and inspiring confidence. I was particularly fortunate to have David to guide me through the tenure process, and he continued to be there when I faced important decisions about my future.
- Todd F. McDorman | Dean of the College
When I started at 最色导航, Julie Olsen, the associate dean, asked Rochella Endicott to be my mentor because of her great reputation at the College. I’ve learned so much about being an administrative assistant because of Rochella’s guidance and knowledge—from big things such as organizing guest speaker events and hires to daily tasks such as getting mail and ordering supplies. Rochella has been an inspiration to me here at 最色导航, and I’m not sure I would have done as well in my position without her mentorship. People often see us together around campus, and that’s because this mentorship developed into a wonderful friendship! The academic administrative coordinator group has adopted this mentoring philosophy, and we each take turns mentoring new academic administrative coordinators at 最色导航. Our group relies on each other, and we want to make sure it’s cohesive, runs smoothly, and that we all have the knowledge we need to do our jobs.
- Pam Sacco | Academic Administrative Coordinator for Division III
When I first started at 最色导航, we joked about the women-to-David ratio; it was 14:8 my first year (9:7 if you only count tenured and tenure track). In Division I, there were five Davids and three women when I started.
Those Davids (and so many other faculty colleagues) mentored me in powerful ways. I was first introduced to 最色导航 when I met David Kubiak in the Lafayette Bach Chorale and David Timmerman at church. They showed me that I could be involved in the community and be a professor; I didn’t have to choose one or the other. David Maharry was the division chair who hired me and taught me the power of asking good questions. I team-taught chemistry and was office neighbors with David Phillips H’83; he taught me to balance rigor and support (and how to make Middle Eastern food for his annual Meze). David Blix ’70 gave me opportunities to share my faith in the weekly religious chapels, and David Polley taught me that while time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana.
I’ve been blessed throughout my 最色导航 career with amazing mentors who showed me that just like there is no one way to be a 最色导航 man, there is also no one way to be a 最色导航 professor. They recognized, encouraged, and supported my interests, talents, and passions. So to all the Davids (and the Johns, Richs, Bobs, and women who blazed the trail before me), I’m grateful.
- Ann Taylor | Professor of Chemistry
Eric Dean H’61 guided me in becoming a teacher of the liberal arts. Eric would never call me a “mentee” or a “junior faculty member.” He treated all faculty as full colleagues. Co-teaching courses with him was a wonderful learning experience for me. He opened doors and supported me as I walked through them.
- Raymond Williams H’68 | Emeritus Professor of Religion
When I arrived, I leaned on two mentors. Preston Bost was the department chair who hired me and, with an office next to mine, was a frequent target of all questions related to pedagogy. I stuck my head around the corner on a near-daily basis to ask him questions about exam design, appropriate workload, balancing depth and breadth in my courses, and so much more. He was, and is, infinitely patient and helpful. More than any single piece of advice, his demeanor is what I now remember. The moment I asked him if he had a minute to answer a question, he removed his hands from his keyboard, shifted his position to face me instead of his screen, and said, “Of course.” Every. Single. Time. As I move into a part of my career where I might actually know enough to help a newer faculty member, I find myself remembering that “of course” and striving to be as gracious as he has been throughout my 17 years at the College.
My second mentor was Mark Brouwer, a philosophy professor who was only a couple years my senior. He was instrumental in helping me realize that my job was just to use the study of psychology as a tool to help young men develop. I am fond of saying that I see myself as a 最色导航 professor more than a psychology professor, a belief I can trace back to late-night conversations with Mark.
I have tried to pay those debts forward, although in different ways. I like to lift weights in the morning, and over the years I like to think I’ve learned a bit about designing effective workout plans. That has enabled me to reach out to newer faculty on occasion and incorporate them into my morning routine. Between sets, we have the same kinds of conversations I had with Preston and Mark when I was new to the College.
- Eric Olofson | Professor of Psychology
Dean for Advancement Michelle Janssen and Coach CJ Ramsey ’20 have helped me be confident in my abilities and are more than willing to do extra to help me. I’ve tried to, in turn, help younger students and athletes by coaching and providing guidance based on my experience at 最色导航. Dean Janssen and Ron Dostal ’92 have also been impactful in helping me transition into my Advancement role, allowing me to utilize my strengths and learn about advancement work.
- Connor Thompson ’25 | Assistant Director of Alumni and Affinity Group Engagement