Thinking about great teachers and mentors, Dr Bob Nelson, Professor of Geology, Colby College
I’ve been talking a lot about teachers lately, good and bad. And in in my What’s your question post, my geology advisor Dr Robert Nelson (always called Dr. Bob) put in a comment. Well Dr Bob is one of those great teachers. He truly was a mentor for me. Gave me confidence, encouraged me, pushed me, challenged me. He expected a lot from me and when I let him down, it hurt.
Great teachers don’t often get the credit they deserve. I was just writing an e-mail back to Dr. Bob (yep even after 15 years we still e-mail) and it struck me as very important to give him a place of honour here on this site.
While I was always science oriented, I had all but given up on science when I went into Geo101, a cocky Sophomore or Junior I believe. I guess he saw something in me and tried to recruit me to be a Geo major. I had to pass because I had just finished setting up my independent major in Anthro (there wasn’t an official Anthro major at that time) and my Anthro advisor didn’t want to let me go. I was, though, the second official Geo minor and I think the first to finish.
His passion for all aspects of the natural world, plants, insects, rocks, dirt, land features, well you can see it all in me now. I think of him and hear his words and lessons in my head whenever I’m on the beach, looking at a tree, checking out a rock, or showing my kids a really cool bug.
That’s what great profs do, they get into your soul and change you forever.
My dad got me started in science, Dr Bob cemented it my soul.
This blog is dedicated to both of you.
BTW, Dr Bob … I still have that Swiss Army knife in my pocket! Yep carried it for week and haven’t been without one since.
Colby Geology Dept Homepage (you guys need a blog!)
Tags: Colby College, mentors, science terachers, Dr BeetleBob
3 Comments