Not Exactly Your Run-of-the-Mill Professors

Hey Everyone!

What comes to your mind when you think of a college professor? Is it an old man standing behind a podium at the front of a large lecture hall? Or maybe a woman reading her lecture notes in a monotone voice? If this is your idea of the typical professor, you will be glad to know that William and Mary professors are as far from this description as is possible.

Over the past three years, I have had some of the most enthusiastic and passionate professors that you could probably find in the country. During my first semester at the College, my French professor would burst into the room every morning and greet us with a loud “BONJOUR TOUT LE MONDE!” And the energy kept up for the entire hour and 20 minutes. The next semester, my Geology lab professor led my class around Yorktown for 3 hours and pointed out rocks, shells, and fossils with an unparalleled sense of excitement. Sophomore year, the American Studies professor who taught my “Kennedy and Camelot” course would often pose polarizing and thought-provoking questions about assassination conspiracies and sit back with a smile as the seminar erupted into discussion. This past year, my philosophy professor would randomly include pictures of kittens in his power point presentations to make sure everyone was awake and focused. It would always a get a few laughs.

While the students certainly make William and Mary unique, the professors and faculty are the foundation of the College. They are constantly searching for new and innovative ways of teaching their subject material. After all, I never thought it would be possible to memorize the names of every U.S. President, the development of every U.S. political party, every economic crisis, and every war in just a semester. But after my American Politics course, I’ll have you know that it was not only possible,  it was actually pretty fun.

And professors at William and Mary definitely don’t stop working when they leave their classrooms. It’s not uncommon to see a professor and a student drinking coffee at the Daily Grind or eating dinner together at the Green Leafe. They really go out of their way to build personal relationships with their students that make the classroom setting only stronger. During my first semester at William and Mary, Professor George Grayson invited my class to his house for a dinner with him and his wife. Last week, Professor Clay Clemens so graciously invited my fellow Admission interns and I to dinner and a movie. And this week, I had the chance to eat a delicious dinner at Anne Arseneau’s house, the Associate Director of the Student Activities Office (oversees Greek life and leadership on campus).

When you’re at William and Mary, you really do feel like you’re in good hands. The faculty and staff throw themselves into their jobs and work tirelessly to help students fulfill their potential. They will challenge and push you to your limits, but in the end, it really is worth it.

Have a great day!

Ryan