Linda Joslin Rosenberg'61

Music

On a particularly cold day, I mentioned to Professor Bill Jones, the head of the music department, that I was thinking of transferring to the University of Miami because they had courses not offered at Beloit. One was a course in how to instruct the piano. He set up a course with Marjorie Sweet, my piano teacher, and gave his daughter and two children of our band instructor to teach. The music department was like a family, and I was glad I stayed.

John Murphy

My mother found herself a single mother with two children in the mid-1960s. Beloit College nurtured, trained, and gave her the confidence to be an outstanding and successful, highly respected teacher to support us! Thank you, Beloit College!

Ian Semple'61

Geology

During the many years of my post-Beloit life, the teachings of Dr. Hank Woodard, “The Chief,” are always remembered not just for the geological knowledge he taught, and the excitement of the learning he imparted, but also more importantly for those aspects of living that are vital to self and those around you, namely diligence, resourcefulness, hard work, teamwork, honesty, and respect for oneself and others in the face of adversity. These are all lessons within, but also well beyond, the boundaries of geology. The Chief has always remained one of my heroes in life.

Cameron Dieter'16

History & Political Science

A political theorist, Professor Jill Budny arranged to hold a small off-campus seminar with students, including a number of graduate students, from two other Midwest colleges to compare and contrast Shakespeare as a political strategist with Machiavelli and others. She invited me and a few other students along, and then quizzed us on the salient points of the discussion during the two-hour ride home.

Joan Hadley Cabreza'65

Biology

In 1963, Dr. Carl Welty, head of the Biology Department, called me in and encouraged me to apply for a pilot program in Costa Rica under the new Beloit Plan to begin in 1964. I did, and it altered the entire course of my life, leading to graduate work at the East-West Center in Hawaii (also a Welty suggestion) and eventually to two decades of biological work in Asia and the South Pacific. He was an amazing professor!

Hannah Yee'19

Psychology

Professor Ron Watson guided my Honors Term Project, which focused on the intersection between Rock County’s rate of sexually transmitted infections and the opioid epidemic. He pushed me to collaborate with community organizations, collect ethnographies and use my findings to inform the work of the Beloit Public Health Initiative.

Mike Knapton'97

Elementary Education

Professor Tom Warren introduced me to a plethora of educational tools to use inside the classroom to help engage students with all types of learning styles. He taught me that meeting their individual needs in the classroom was essential to effective learning. I have been a special education teacher for over 15 years. The experience and knowledge of the education department helped me with preparing to be a good educator.

Tori Key'03

Economics & Management

As director of the McNair Scholars Program, Associate Dean DeVon Wilson’90 was a fierce advocate for first-generation minority students like me to work through our self-doubt and go on to graduate studies, many as Ph.Ds.

James Ettorre'77

Student

Professor Tom McBride was an inspiration. It is thanks to him that I can express myself clearly with the written word. I remember one class where he analyzed a single page of a memoir, demonstrating why it was so persuasive and focused. My head was spinning by the end of the class. I learned how to dive deep into writing to understand its effect.

Oceana R. Gilliam'17

Russian & Political Science

Professor Donna Oliver supported me since my very first day at Beloit. As my Russian faculty advisor, she guided me through my Russian study abroad program, introduced me to the work of poet Alexander Pushkin, and mentored me as a Ronald E. McNair Research Scholar.

Bruce Bartleson'56

Geology

Dr. Hank Woodard, or “The Chief,” as he was fondly known, was truly inspirational to his students. He exhibited enthusiasm, integrity, a deep knowledge of his subject, and a rare combination of caring for students while maintaining respect and admiration. Many of his students went on to teach with “The Chief” as their model.

Alfred Kraemer'73

English Literature & Philosophy

When my father died unexpectedly during my senior year, I hurried home to be with my family. When I got there, Professor Scott Crom had already sent a telegram telling me to stay home as long as I needed and that he and Professor Chad Walsh would talk to my professors. Both men were gentle, caring people who treated students with respect and affection.

Audrey Grettie'99

Anthropology/Art History

Ian Nie, Tamara Hamlish, Nancy Krusko, Jo Ortel, and so many others made my Beloit experience special. I was a naive and sheltered suburban kid when I stepped onto Beloit’s campus in 1994. While I was there, I was introduced to ideas, art, cultures, and people from around the world. I was taught to think critically about world events, the human condition, and ethical issues. It has forever shaped how I move through my life.

Penelope Althoff'68

Geology & Anthropology

Dr. Hank Woodard was an exciting, in-depth, fun professor of geology from whom I learned so much and became a PhD geologist thanks to him. I’ve enjoyed a wonderful career in geological teaching and consulting in my own business.

Cam Murray'80

Chemistry

Dr. Phil Straffin’s willingness to block out an afternoon to tutor me on trigonometry allowed me to get into the chemistry program, which led to my career as a polymer chemist.