Letters
A Lot More Prof. Sheldricks Needed
I liked the Jan. 17 At Guelph story on Prof. Byron Sheldrick, particularly the part about his interest in teaching first-year students and instilling excitement in them.
Having been lucky enough to be taught by a few very good profs during my undergraduate years (at the University of Windsor) who have remained friends to me for decades, I know how much of a difference they can make. In the years since, as I've done graduate work, been a part-time college instructor and, most recently, seen my own son enrol at university, I am even more aware that the passion for introducing students to a field of study and stimulating their interest in exploring knowledge is not necessarily shared among everyone who would exert the most important influence academically on young students.
A prolific researcher at an Ontario university recently told me he was concerned that excellent researchers, including himself, may not be very good teachers after all. I wish there were a lot more Prof. Sheldricks in all universities.
Timothy Choi, Shanghai
At Guelph welcomes letters to the editor. They should be limited to 500 words and submitted electronically to Barbara Chance at b.chance@exec.uoguelph.ca.