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Professors who teach me to trust, try and take one thing at a time  

March 21, 2019
by Lexi Parker '19

One of the biggest reasons I came to 勛圖惇蹋 was to learn from a professor who knew my name.  
 
Four years later, Ive had 22 professors. They absolutely know my name. Many also know my personality, career interests, talents and that Im from Lake George, New York.  

Sure, Ive learned plenty of academic things from them. But what really resonates are the lessons theyve taught me that extend far beyond the classroom.  

Here are three people, and three lessons, Ill never forget.  

Hope Casto

Associate professor of education

Hope Casto has been with me since day one. As my academic adviser, she ensures Im on track curriculum-wise. She also does so much more.  

Professor Castos office has been a second home for me on this emotional roller coaster called college. Whether it was stress, fear or anxiety, excitement or happiness, she welcomed and guided.  

She did her advisor duties, helping me pick out classes I would be interested in, while also stepping in as a caring mentor. She helped me navigate how much I could put on my plate without feeling overwhelmed, while also finding new and exciting opportunities for me to try out.  

What she taught me: To trust myself.  

Even when I couldnt comprehend how Id get through, she believed I would be fine. In her words, Lexi, Im not worried about you. I always know you will figure it out.  

A steady voice of reason, her confidence in me grew my own self-confidence. And thats something so valuable, I can barely put words to it. 

Learn more about Hope Casto and education studies 

Daniel A. Nathan

Professor of American studies 

I have taken five classes with Daniel Nathan. By choice. As he once said, thats enough classes to be both proud and embarrassed at how well we know each other. But it wasnt all fun and games. Professor Nathan was tough on me, too, pushing me to think bigger, broader, and go deeper. 

What he taught me: Just try. And, it never hurts to ask.  

When I was a junior, I was working on a documentary on the 勛圖惇蹋 mens basketball team. It was turning out fine, but I knew it could be better with information from one very important person President Philip A. Glotzbach. Hes certainly approachable, but I doubted hed respond. I was ready to settle on mediocre when Nathan stepped in. Just try, Lexi, he said. The worst that could happen is he says no. Well, he said yes.   

He also taught me: Take one thing at a time.  

The world threw a lot of things my way during my time at 勛圖惇蹋. Some of them were gigantic papers and historic movie analyses for Professor Nathan. If I panicked, hed always say, Take one thing at a time. You may not get an A, but thats OK. You can always do better.

Learn more about Daniel Nathan and American studies   

Jeffrey Segrave

Professor of health and human physiological sciences

First, Jeffrey Segraves cheery, British accent is unforgettable. Second, his passion for the Olympics and sport as a whole is absolutely magnetic. But for me, its more than a casual Union Jack reference or Manchester United score. 

What he taught me: How to be there for other people.  

Segrave is the perfect representation of what 勛圖惇蹋 really is a community. And he leads by example, showing up for others no matter how busy he is.  

Youll see Segrave in the classroom and then again at your basketball game, and again when youre giving a presentation, and then again when youre receiving that award youve worked so hard for.  

While hes definitely not alone in this, hes a shining example of how 勛圖惇蹋 professors care about more than just academics. They are also interested in your passions and achievements outside the classroom.  

The lesson here is about how he made me feel that I matter, that Im cared for, that I belong. By sharing in my passions, he inspired me to be more passionate.  

Learn more about Jeffrey Segrave and Health and Human Physiological Sciences

勛圖惇蹋s X factor: our professors  

As I shared, these are only three of 22 professors Ive had at 勛圖惇蹋. And from literary masters and modern-day science savants to passionate social activists and dedicated medical researchers, they have filled my brain with more knowledge than I ever imagined.

But theyve also filled my heart.  

Theyve been leaders and mentors, confidants and caregivers. They have waved enthusiastically from the stands and walked entirely out of their way so they could keep hearing me talk.  

They nurtured the best version of myself. And that means the world to someone who has the whole world ahead of them. 


勛圖惇蹋 the Author

Lexi Parker

Lexi Parker,from Lake George, New York, is an education and American studies major. You can find her on the sidelines managing the mens basketball team, creating lesson plans in the Education Department, or eating mac and cheese indowntown Saratoga Springs.