Dear Editor,
I am writing to say congratulations to all of the faculty members who have taught at Point Park for 40 years or more! I was happily surprised to see two of my favorite professors on the cover of The Point's Winter 2013 edition. As a former student who graduated in 2008, I had the pleasure of attending classes taught by Professor Channa Newman and Professor John Kudlac. I have fond memories of both professors and I have a true appreciation for their enduring dedication to their students. I am so glad that these two professors, as well as the others written about in the magazine, are being recognized for their contributions to the University and to their students. I want to sincerely thank these professors and all the others who dedicate themselves to the University, to their work, and to the enthusiastic instruction of their students. Thank you!
Jessica Steigerwald Toro (COM ’08)
Pittsburgh, Pa.
www.torophoto.org
Dear Editor,
The Point article “Teachable Moments” (Winter 2013) brought back many enjoyable memories for me, from the early days of Point Park’s infancy to the climb to achieve University status. Two of my most esteemed, and prestigious, teachers were Professor A. C. Cressy and Professor Nathan Firestone. I believe Dr. Cressy was also associated with Tufts University and has since passed on. He was a true gentleman of the old school, appropriate and proper in every facet of his instruction and demeanor. I sorely miss his interaction with the students. As for Dr. Firestone, I remember many heated discussions in his classes. He invited a small number of stalwarts and exceptionally gifted students to his home for continued education, which took the form of lively interactions involving the highest realms of political science. He had the enigmatic abilities to lead discussions and students into unchartered waters – where none of his peers would normally go. I looked forward to those evenings, and when he had to cancel due to personal commitments I was always at a loss and devastated. I owe so much to both these men and to the excellent education that was afforded to me and to others. Point Park University is definitely a cultural center of higher and gifted learning, as are all institutions in the great city of Pittsburgh. My heart goes out to those gifted teachers. God bless each of you for presenting me an excellent advantage in life. It has made all the difference in this competitive and highly structured world.
John C. Huckestein (A&S 1972)
Seminole Police Department
Clewiston, Fla.
Dear Editor,
I just wanted to congratulate Professor Edward C. Wachter, Jr. on the recent article (“Teachable Moments," Winter 2013) in The Point magazine. I personally have fond memories of my business law class that he taught in the fall 2001 semester. One of the things I learned in his class was that there weren’t any wrong answers, just unsupported ones, and that there is always more than one way to look at any argument. I will also remember the morning of September 11, 2001. We had class right after the Twin Towers were hit. He automatically dismissed us and said to go home and make sure our loved ones were O.K. I wish Professor Wachter the best. And I thank him for his commitment to us, his students.
Ivonne Beltran (BUS ’04)
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Dear Editor,
I just wanted to say that I was delighted to see the short article on Professor George C. Bromall II (“Teachable Moments,” Winter 2013). He taught me Fortran and Advanced Fortran programming in 1980 – 1981, if I remember correctly. As I think back on my time at Point Park, I believe that I enjoyed his classes more than any other. He was a nice man and a good motivator. Although I wanted to be a programmer, I eventually went on to a 20 - year career as a network support technician. I now work for Citiparks and I still enjoy programming as a hobby, something that I attribute to Professor Bromall. I am very glad to see that he is doing well, and I want to thank him for being such a good teacher.
Clinton Burton (BUS 1983)
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Dear Editor,
I thoroughly enjoyed the vignettes in the article “Teachable Moments” in the Winter 2013 issue of The Point. I especially appreciated the profiles on Professors Robert Alexander, Robert Fessler, John Kudlac and Nathan Firestone, all of whom I had as professors during my years (1975-78) at Point Park College (now University). It was an enjoyable trip down memory lane and I'd like to personally commend you on your editorial text and the accompanying photos by Martha Rial. Whoever conceived these stories should also receive kudos for a brilliant idea. Please convey my personal best wishes to these four professors who had an important impact on my life. They (and the other six whom I didn't have the pleasure of knowing) are to be lauded for their strong personal commitment to education. We are all truly winners as a result of their dedication. Thank you again for acknowledging their 40 years of service to Point Park University.
P.S. I'll never forget the time when Professor Fessler returned our first "Blue Book" exams correctly to each student without calling out the names. How he knew who each of us was, after only a few weeks, was simply amazing!
Kim Allen Payne (COM 1979)
Wesley Chapel, Fla.
Dear Editor,
I wanted to let you know how very much I enjoyed the “Teachable Moments” article on the 10 professors who have taught at Point Park for 40 years or longer. I remembered six of them! (I graduated in 1973). It was great to see the "before and after" photos, and learn about what they have all been doing. You can tell Professor Nathan Firestone that my husband (Douglas Weidner A&S 1972) still comments on his classes. I truly admired and respected these folks – so glad to see them all well.
Diane (Ging) Weidner (A&S 1973)
Pittsburgh, Pa.
We want to hear from you! Write to The Point at: thepoint@pointpark.edu.