Drury University is home to a vast student body that are all intriguing, ambitious, individualistic and a delight to know. To showcase these varying personalities, the Mirror has created Panther Profiles, an outlet to showcase those within the campus, to share their memories and experiences at Drury University.

This year, Teacher Appreciation Week is celebrated May 2-8. This week, students typically show their appreciation for both past and present teachers. To honor the hard work and dedication all professors and faculty do on Drury University’s campus, The Mirror has decided to showcase seven dedicated professors: Dr. Charles Taylor, Professor Traci Sooter, Dr. Sergey Borodich, Dr. Charlyn Ingwerson, Dr. Michael Verney, Dr. Jennifer Boden and Dr. Asikaa Cosgrove.

Dr. Charles Taylor is a Professor and Director of Graduate Programs in the Department of Communication. He has been teaching at Drury University since the fall of 1997. Taylor was drawn toward education by the teachers he had growing up who helped him recognize his academic passion. He was also inspired by his college girlfriend, now wife, who also chose to enter the field of education.

Photo via Dr. Charles Taylor

When asked what Taylor’s favorite part of being an educator is, he said, “While it’s a bit of a cliché, it’s probably the ‘a-ha’ moments – when students connect their own lived experience to key issues/perspectives in ways that enrich both the students and the meaning of those issues. Students strike me as inherently optimistic, even when being a bit jaded. Happily, for us old folks who’ve done a pretty spectacular job of screwing up the world, our students believe they can – and will – leave our world better than the way they found it. And that’s pretty powerful.”

Our second feature is from Hammons School of Architecture, Professor Traci Sooter. She has been at Drury University for the last 22 years and adores campus and education.

Sooter’s love of construction, and her desire to help others channel their interest in architecture, pushed her onto an education path. Even teaching for 22 years could not prepare Sooter, and other staff members for the challenges seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. In an interview, Sooter commented on how she has been affected, as an educator, by this virus.

Photo via Professor Traci Sooter

“I am no different than any faculty or staff member at Drury. We all proceeded with thoughtful, informed caution to keep ourselves and our students safe while providing educational experiences that are typical of the Drury brand, personalized, mentored and real-world. COVID-19 became a real-world teaching moment, a stressful one, but we navigated it together. I  have always told those outside of Drury that I am lucky to work at a place where I am only limited by my imagination. I am grateful to work with such incredible students, faculty, and staff. It is rare to find a culture such as ours. I hope I never take it for granted.”

Associate Professor of Mathematics, Dr. Sergey Borodich has been working at Drury University since the fall of 2003. His primary field of research is statistics and optimization methods in economics, though nothing matches his love for math and education.

Borodich also has a passion for helping students at the University realize and achieve their aspirations–especially in his classroom. He refers to teaching as his calling and considers himself lucky to be employed in a position he loves.

Photo via Dr. Sergey Borodich

“While my primary goal is to teach mathematics,” Borodich said in an interview, “I believe that part of my role as a teacher is to help young people broaden their horizons by discussing a wide variety of topics and issues with them. Communicating with young people seeking knowledge helps me continue my self-development and makes my life both rich and interesting.”

Dr. Charlyn Ingwerson is a faculty member of the English department at Drury University and began teaching at the university in the fall of 2002. She became a full faculty member for Drury in 2008.

Because of her unique background, Ingwerson has had the opportunity to teach courses in comparative cultural studies, American Literature studies, Middle Eastern studies, as well as grammar and writing courses.

Photo via Dr. Charlyn Ingwerson

Ingwerson has many memories of teaching at Drury, but what she considers her favorite part is “being a small part of and a witness to the unfolding stories of students’ journeys. The pandemic has challenged our connections to one another, for sure; but events like the English symposium and the distribution of the student publication Currents (which is really a beautiful work) reassure me that we are still here and invested in one another. “

Originally from Massachusetts, this History professor has been teaching at Drury University for three years. Dr. Michael Verney began teaching as an assistant professor in 2018 and has loved every minute of it.

“I knew that I loved History and that I was passionate about writing, which are important credentials for succeeding in a doctoral History program. What I did not know was how much I would enjoy teaching in graduate school.  That changed my calculus and has been central to my professional life ever since. I love helping students engage with the past and make connections with the contemporary world. I always get excited while teaching, but my favorite thing about the profession has to be when I can see that the students are also getting excited and interested. I love igniting that spark.”

Photo via Michael Verney

Verney is currently working on a book and welcomes any student who would be willing or who may want to assist in his endeavors. Verney’s work is “conducting original research in the early history of global U.S. expansionism.  Sample topics might include Congressional politics, maritime history, the Pacific World, the US. Navy’s antipiracy operations, the history of the book, and the founding of the Smithsonian Institution.”

Dr. Jen Boden, Breech School of Business is Assistant Professor of Economics, began her teaching career at Drury University in the fall of 2019 and has been thrilled to teach a variety of courses to her students.

Boden’s main focus is teaching data analytics and economics to both undergraduate and graduate students at Drury. Boden was also previously a research project manager working in the field of economics.

Photo via Dr. Jen Boden

When asked why she chose to teach Boden responded, “I think teaching is one of the most important professions- I absolutely love it!  Part of what I enjoy is the process of communicating challenging information by breaking it down into more simplistic steps. There is nothing like seeing the face of someone when they finally get it! I am a learner at heart, and teaching always provides opportunities to learn something new. What drew me into teaching at the college level is that my own professors were very important to me during that time in my life. They helped me expand my knowledge of course, but perhaps more importantly, they believed in me during times when I had a hard time believing in myself. I hoped that I could be for someone else who my professors were for me.”

Education professor Dr. Asikaa Cosgrove, is our final selection. He began working at Drury in 2001, then he started teaching as an adjunct instructor in 2007. He became an assistant professor in 2016.

Cosgrove is well known within the Education department and beloved by students for his knowledge and willingness to help students grow. Cosgrove has been with Drury for the past twenty years and reflected on some fond memories of the university.

Photo via Dr. Asikaa Cosgrove

“Drury University holds a very special place in my heart. I am proud of the way this institution has fought its way through many difficulties, including the pandemic. I look at our alumni and our alumni-to-be and there is no comparison to that deep-in-your-chest feeling. Those people are changing the world for the better.”

“To me, teaching is a privilege and a pleasure,” said Cosgrove. “It allows me to be a part of a vital part of other people’s lives: I get to help them while we all learn together. Every semester I come away with new information that I can turn around to expand my future students’ knowledge.”

The Mirror would like to say “Thank you!” to each of the faculty members who have been working tirelessly to help students on their academic paths. We would also like to wish each faculty member a happy Teacher Appreciation Week!