Who was your favorite professor at UVA?
Far and away the professor mentioned the most—by members of classes from the 1960s through the 1980s—was historian Norman Graebner. George Piccillo (Col class of ’74, Educ class of ’77) said: “His expertise was undeniable. More importantly, he brought history to life again, he brought his students directly to those crossroads from the past. He was an engaging actor, he knew it, and used that to further our understanding of the times and issues at hand.” David Thurlow (Col class of ’80) said: “He made the history of U.S. foreign policy into a breathless thriller each class day.” Susan (Walsky) Gray (Grad class of ’69) said: “A distinguished historian, he was always ready to listen to what students had to say and pose probing questions so that they could think things through themselves.”
Several alumni also mentioned econ professor Ken Elzinga; his class was so influential that some reported changing their career trajectory because of it. And even those who didn’t change paths appreciated him. Rich McKinless (Com class of ’79) said: “He made the complex easy to understand—and convinced you economics was worth knowing even if it wasn’t a career interest at all.” Rachel Settle (Col class of ’98) said: “I had Mr. Elzinga twice. What sets him apart is how humble, genuine and student-focused he was.”
“Josephine Ludwig taught me information in 1967 that I still remember. Class started at 1 p.m., and she locked the door at that time. Latecomers were not admitted. A pop quiz could come at any time. These measures may seem harsh today, but I remembered those concepts when I took a certification exam in 1993. My colleagues had difficulty, but I had no problem due to Ludwig’s Organic Chemistry course.” —Patricia Viar Heath (Nurs class of ’70)
“To say that Paul Gaston was a formative influence on me is to grossly understate the case. His sonorous lectures on 20th century Southern history conveyed so much more than just history. They described a world of light and dark, of good and bad. Self-effacing, warm and kind, Mr. Gaston embodied a moral rectitude that was as powerful as it was unassuming. I know I’m far from alone in crediting him for making me a better person.” —James Mayo (Col class of ’88)
“Thomas Hutchinson’s class was one not to miss. He was humorous, especially for first-year students. It was refreshing that he made it a fun experience. Not to mention the inventions that he was a part of—Eye-gaze Response Interface Computer Aid, or ERICA.”—Thomas Howell (Engr class of ’05)
“Maryam Zehtabi—she would happily engage in class discussions and made it a point to hear from every student.” —Laiba Moughal (Col class of ’23)
“Professor Michael Fowler in physics was a brilliant lecturer with a very dry wit. He helped make the complicated clear and convinced a number of us that there was no better thing to study than physics. He also always came to class with a can of Coke to help him through class. We were so taken by this that at the end of the year, we got a Coke shirt that a delivery person would wear and embroidered ‘Mike’ above the pocket.” —Bob Kolvoord (Col class of ’83, Engr class of ’85)
“My favorite professor was Robert Pate, who recognized in me a passion for discerning the importance of ethical choices for any professional in counseling, psychology and human services, especially with disclosures around self-harm or a threat to others. Along with William H. Van Hoose, he encouraged me to start a petition for mandating a course on ethics at the Curry School. The exploration of these issues couldn’t be more salient in today’s world.” —Joyce Ann Wanvig Thatcher (Educ class of ’80)
“Kevin Everson taught me how to be a filmmaker and changed my whole perspective on art-making.” —Mia Gualtieri (Col class of ’23)
“Dinko Počanić lightened my modern physics course with his humor.” —Ben Werchowsky (Col class of ’25)
“Robert Tai. In our Teaching Elementary Science class, he built a hoverboard powered by a vacuum and let us all float around the classroom on it. We made ice cream in bottles with marbles in his class and grew lima bean plants—all the classic elementary science things—and that passion that he had for science and learning was infectious! As an elementary school science teacher, I often find myself asking, ‘What would Dr. Tai do for this lesson?’ ” —Katie Alley (Col class of ’08, Educ class of ’08)
“Professor Stephen Cushman was an incredible teacher and scholar who shared his knowledge with a passion that made you feel like it was the most important thing you ever studied. He made literature, and especially poetry, come alive in ways that were astounding, life-affirming and even hilarious. He is the hallmark of everything UVA stands for—scholarship, citizenship and leadership—and one of the reasons I became a high school English teacher!” —Robert Harry (Col class of ’07)
Reared during the Eisenhower era with immense respect for authority, my fellow students and I were startled in 1963 when Professor Robert Kent Gooch, the archetypal Virginia gentleman and scholar, asked us in a seminar on U.S. Constitutional history what we would do if the Charlottesville City Council made it illegal to wear our favorite hat. After some discussion, we all agreed that we would obey the law. Mr. Gooch confessed to being “disappointed and somewhat shocked” by our answer. He challenged us to identify any provision in the Constitution granting government the authority to regulate clothing. As our mouths hung open, he went on to explain that it was our obligation to protest unconstitutional ordinances. The remainder of the 1960s would teach us a good deal more about the value of peaceful protest in a democracy.”—William T. Walker Jr. (Col class of ’66, Grad class of ’67)
“I took only two psych classes, both from Professor Mavis Hetherington. She explained concepts in terms that were understandable and especially memorable. She instilled in me an appreciation for the variety of human personalities and behaviors. I appreciate every day her most memorable lesson: ‘Everything everyone does or says makes sense—to them.’ Explains a lot, doesn’t it?” —Mark Crouter (Col class of ’74)
“Professor Victor Luftig, or VL, as I call him, was the first piece to a strong community I established at UVA. Attending a university with less than 6 percent African Americans as a first-generation college student predisposed me to racial attacks that affected my initial academic performance and desire to stay at UVA. VL taught my COLA class during my first semester, and after one class session he pulled me to the side to confirm my position and value within the Academical Village and the world, and he hasn’t left my side since.
After forging a relationship with VL, I would find an inclusive community of people at UVA and in the broader Charlottesville community. The discovery of myself, my position, and my value would enable me to thrive as a leader for other minority students and the surrounding community.” —Johntrell Bowles (Col class of ’20)
“Professor J. Milton Adams taught us physiology. He made the concepts seem so simple, and I could always remember every lecture and class so clearly.” —Sankar Srinivas (Engr class of ’96)
“Dr. John Lloyd created jingles to help us remember best strategies for behavior management for students with disabilities. I still remember them eight years after graduating. I use every ounce of what he taught me in my classroom each and every day.” —Brittany Oman (Educ class of ’15)
“I took Dr. Edward Ayers for American History Since 1865. In the first lecture, he started with the Civil War, but not just talking about the battles and outcomes and so on. He put a family tree up on the blackboard, and he started with the top of the family tree and explained how the war affected him. He tied each person to a large event or effect of the war. It was staggering. There were audible gasps from the students in the lecture hall.” —Robb L. Fish (Col class of ’92)
“Avery Catlin, Wendell Malbon and Walter P. Walker were all special. They all knew me by name, cared about me and my progress, and were always available if I ever needed them.”—William Austin Campbell (Engr class of ’60, class of ’66)
“David Edmunds is a rarity who manages to create deep connections with each of his students and finds ways to connect them with content, other individuals, or resources that will help them succeed and line up with their interests. He exemplifies what it means to be an empathetic and passionate leader. David knows that a lot of students of color come to the University, often without connections or networks that could open them to other opportunities (such as research, internships, etc.). David constantly sent us information about talks going on at the University, open job positions, volunteering opportunities, and the list goes on.” —Valencia Lagbo (Batten class of ’22)
“Jose Gomez taught structural steel design while also conducting applied research and technical consultation. He was passionate about what he was doing, and it showed in his teaching style. He was one of the reasons why I pursued a career in structural engineering and construction management and continue to enjoy it.” —Michael Biggs (Engr class of ’97, class of ’99)
“Professor Michael Levenson had the ability to spin magic in a 400-person lecture hall. He taught me to find beauty in the minute details of life and absolutely inspired my interest in teaching. I’ve been an English teacher and school administrator for 20 years thanks to him.”—Lucy Goldstein (Col class of ’01)
“Caroline Dinegar, a former foreign service officer and assistant professor at UVA from 1967 to 1970, was notable for being one of the few women professors here at the time but also because she brought both a real-world outlook on diplomacy and an enthusiasm for relating to her students directly in the academic setting. I went on to a foreign service career of my own, grateful that she had made that world so real to me even while I was still at the University.” —Gary D. Kessler (Col class of ’68, Grad class of ’71)
“Dr. Raymond Bice, who taught Bice psychology. He taught visually with show-and-tell, humor and practical demonstration. I will never forget Kermit the Frog at the end of the class because he told me I would never forget that image.”—Clayman B. Edwards (Com class of ’87, Grad class of ’88)
“John Jeffries taught me to be skeptical about the conventional wisdom.”—David A. Logan (Law class of ’77)
“Dean Irby Cauthen. He was kind and thoughtful as my academic adviser and a heck of an English professor in small seminar.” —Michael Ridenhour (Col class of ’71, Educ class of ’73)
“David Waldner taught me how to read with a skeptical, analytical mind, and try to see the whole argument as well as the pieces of it. He told us to ‘read with a razor blade’ to cut out the parts of an idea that didn’t hold up but hold onto the parts that proved explanatory or otherwise valuable. This has helped me be a better thinker about the world and our place in it.” —Evan Douglas Macbeth (Col class of ’97)
