LinkedIn to inspirational profs
The Concordia University Alumni Association hosts a group on the popular professional social networking site LinkedIn. In mid-2010, Richard Brow, BA (poli. sci.) 83, posted a question on the group’s discussion page:
Who was your most inspirational professor at Concordia? Why? And how did [he or she] influence your subsequent life/career?
The following is a (slightly edited) sampling of the many responses.
Richard Brow, BA (poli. sci.) 83
VP for University Advancement, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
My own was Dr. Henri Habib, who taught international relations and politics of the Middle East. He was also a long-serving chair of the Department of Political Science, totally dedicated to his students and staff.
His surveys of the history and politics of the Middle East were absolutely fascinating, rich in detail and anecdotes about the many personalities that transformed the region. He made complex issues so accessible. He brought a few students and staff to Libya in the mid-1980s—giving us a unique insight into a controversial regime. I was hooked.
After Concordia, I studied Middle East affairs at the graduate level, followed by working several years on Middle East-related projects with former [U.S.] president Jimmy Carter. International affairs and the Middle East remain ongoing personal and professional areas of interest. In fact, I recently joined the American University of Beirut [AUB] in Lebanon, as Vice President for University Advancement. AUB is Professor Habib’s alma mater—so how’s that for influence!
Michael Hiles, BSc 72, MSc (physics) 74, owner, A. Michael Hiles & Associates, Human Capital Management, Beaconsfield, Que.
Charles Fox (Mathematics). He was an eminent mathematician. He had retired from McGill and kept busy by teaching (me) methods of mathematical physics. He invited me to his apartment once and showed me his small collection of mathematics texts.
He had a 1,000-year-old Euclid geometry text in Arabic, which he kept in a glass display case, open at the proof of Pythagoras’s famous theorem. I couldn’t read the text, but the diagram of the proof was clear and beyond language. He was inspiring, and gave me a life-long interest in the truths to be found in mathematics. Charles Fox deserves to be remembered with fondness and respect.
Charles Fox, LLD 76, was a McGill University Mathematics professor. He retired in 1967 and for the next eight years was visiting professor at Sir George Williams University and Concordia. He died in 1977.
Lawrence-David Bissé, BA (poli. sci.) 10, Parliamentary assistant to Liberal MP Alexandra Mendes, Ottawa
Political Science professor Pierre Frégeau, BA 76, was particularly influential, helping to steer the course for a future I had scarcely envisioned prior to making his acquaintance. He is an exceptional instructor. Armed with undeniable legal expertise, boundless charisma and an evident passion for teaching, Me Frégeau goes above and beyond what can be expected from a professor.
In September 2007, I returned to Concordia after a three-year hiatus with the goal of entering the Communication Studies program. My enrolment in his Quebec Civil Law class in January 2008 led me to reconsider the decision and continue my studies in the Department of Political Science. Thanks to his guidance and continuous encouragement, I felt an uncanny connection with the study of law, and decided that its exploration would become my principal pursuit.
Professor Frégeau’s mentorship extended to advising me on particular areas of law, helping me decide which law school to attend, and even allowing me to serve as his research assistant. Since completing my bachelor’s degree in August 2010, I have been serving as parliamentary assistant to Liberal MP Alexandra Mendes, and have recently been admitted to McGill University’s Faculty of Law. None of this would have been possible without Professor Frégeau. It is he who introduced me to the study of law and challenged me to surpass myself in its exploration. His willingness to provide guidance beyond the classroom is furthermore worthy of praise, and I cannot thank him enough for his assistance.
His contributions to my personal development stand among the main reasons why my time at Concordia has been so fulfilling and memorable. Because of his devotion to student success for more than 30 years, Professor Frégeau epitomizes the values of Concordia’s academic community.
Tomy Royer, BFA 05 (film anim.), Illustrator, Quebec City
No doubt about it. It is Stefan Anastasiu (Cinema). Great animator and artist but a motivator like no other. Thanks a million, Stef.
Stefan Anastasiu is a professor at Concordia’s Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema.
Susan Draca, BComm (mktg.) 07, Freelance Marketing and Social Media Specialist, Montreal
Brent Pearce (Marketing), without a doubt! I took three classes with him— Customer Service Excellence, Product Strategy and Innovation and Direct Response Marketing—and not once did he make a business class all about theory. He made a point to relate each class to real-world experience.
We worked on solving issues and coming up with plans for current situations that actual companies were dealing with.
Brent is also exceptional because he makes a point of helping advance and keeping in contact with as many students as he can after they graduate. In fact, we currently are co-workers and I owe him credit in helping me advance my career one step further. Thanks, Brent!
Claudio Girolami, BEng (mech. eng.) 77, Vice-President – Automotive Systems, Robinson Solutions, Richmond Hill, Ont.
My all-time favourite is the late Dr. Jaan Saber (Mechanical Engineering).
He was an extremely intelligent human being and a wild-and-crazy guy all rolled into one. He was a great coach and motivator.
I still miss him.
Jaan Saber and colleagues Matthew Douglass, Michael Hogben and Phoivos Ziogas were murdered at Concordia in 1992.
Len Rudner, BA (Eng.) 77, Regional Director, Ontario, Canadian Jewish Congress, Toronto
I was blessed with a number of great profs. In the English Department, there was Dorothy Proctor, who helped me discover my words; Malcolm Foster, who was both a mentor and a friend; and Michael Brian, who opened my eyes to Shakespeare. But the prof who had the greatest, lifelong impact on me was Christine Garside Allen [now Sister Prudence Allen].
I studied Existentialism with her in 1973 (I met my future wife in that class) and then took two Women’s Studies courses with her when the Simone de Beauvoir Institute was barely a twinkle in anyone’s eye!
Sam Drori, BA (comp. sci. & hist.) 91, Software Engineer, Ajilon Consulting, Syracuse, N.Y.
My own was Martin Singer. At the time, he was a History professor and I took all his courses in Chinese and Japanese history.
I haven’t seen Dr. Singer in many years, but in addition to being a great lecturer, he was the coolest guy I had ever met, with his fedora and suspenders.
Dr. Singer was probably the most inspiring and demanding teacher I had at Concordia. He set the bar higher for research and written work, and for that I am grateful. I hope York University realizes how fortunate they are to have him as a dean.
Olivier de Sousa, BA (econ.) 91, Program Manager, S40 Connect Clients, Nokia, Montreal
Easy ... Professor Martin Singer in History. I took his History of Japan course back in ’90 or so and it led me to fall in love with that country. I had always had an interest in Japan and Professor Singer put it all in place. I visited that country for the first time two years ago.
David Harper, BAdmin 85, BA (psych.) 96, Managing Principal, The Advisory Alliance, Savannah, Ga.
Dr. Tom Gray in Psychology, who challenged, encouraged and taught you to think critically. Assumptions, assertions and conclusions made were to be thoughtfully considered and thoroughly examined.
It made for interesting discussion, lively conversation and exceptional learning.
I’m grateful for the experience.
Tania Clarke, BComm 90, GrDip (acct.) 91, Director, The Games For Hope Foundation, Montreal
I had a few but the forerunner was Gail Fayerman, who taught in the undergrad and CA prep program.
She ran her class well and engaged most of us in the topic. She was also a great motivator and very straightforward and accessible.
I have never forgotten her.
Richard (Rick) Hobbs, BA (psych.) 95, BComm (mktg.) 99, Vice President, Research Ottawa, Léger Marketing, Ottawa
Harold Simpkins, S BA (psych.) 67, MBA (mktg.) 78, is a wealth of knowledge, insight and, most importantly, advice.
I still rely upon him for advice and insight 10+ years after graduation.
He is always available to students for academic and professional advice.
Sylvie Marie Héroux, BA (stats.) 89, MA (soc.) 92, BA (Span. lit.) 09, Senior Advisor, Capability Development, Rio Tinto, Montreal
Taylor Buckner, now retired from the Sociology department, was my mentor for many years (during my grad studies in the early ’90s and beyond) and inspired many of the things I have done in my life.
In particular, he inspired me to follow my passion for learning and to explore paths without knowing what the endpoint might be. Serendipitous findings are often the most meaningful!
Derek Cassoff, BA (journ. & poli. sci.) 93, Director of Communications, Office of Development and Alumni Relations, McGill University, Montreal
I took a course with Henri Habib (Political Science), great prof. But as a Journalism grad, I have to go with Lindsay Crysler, who really ignited in me the passion for the written word and served not only as a great teacher but also as a guide and mentor as I navigated the channels from graduating student to the work force. And his liberal use of the “f” word was actually quite charming.
Samana Siddiqui, BA (journ.) 96, Writer and Columnist, Chicago Crescent, Chicago
I’d say it was a tie between Lindsay Crysler and Linda Kay, MA 01 (media studies), of the Journalism department. While their teaching styles were very different, they were both committed to their students, offering wonderful mentoring and encouragement, while being open about their critiques of assignments and other work.
I learned from and respected all of my professors at the department, but Lindsay and Linda both stand out as inspirational.
They gave me the confidence I needed to push myself harder and improve my writing without making me feel like an amateur.
Martine Dupuis, BA (poli. sci.) 87, MA (PP&PA) 91, Payroll Assistant, Payroll Compliance Practitioner, Bell Canada, Montreal
After 20 years, the best professor is still the late Hubert Guindon (Sociology and Anthropology).
He was so intelligent, modest and respectful.
He let me discover [20th-century philosopher] Hannah Arendt.”
Cindy Woodland, BSc (bio.) 90, MSc 94 (bio.) 94, Environmental Risk Evaluator, Health Canada, Ottawa
It was Dan McLaughlin (Biology). As an undergrad at Concordia, I asked Dan if I could do a research project with him in parasitology. He agreed, but on the condition that I first try out a few environmental courses.
Dan could see that I would be much happier in environmental science. I did what he suggested and he was absolutely right. I went on to complete graduate work in aquatic toxicology and ecotoxicology. I now work in regulatory environmental toxicology with the federal government.
If Dan hadn’t seen what he did in me 20 years ago, I would likely be in a job that doesn’t give me the immense satisfaction that environmental risk assessment does.
Additionally, Dan was by far one of the best professors I’ve ever had. He was one of the most captivating lecturers I’ve ever seen. He put so much work into the preparation of each class—which began promptly at 8:30 a.m.—that they were so interesting that you didn’t mind getting up early. He was tough and made you work hard, but it was great!
Dan McLaughlin is a former Concordia Biology professor.
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