Acorn

Issue date: 4/25/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Christa Van Eerde University President Bob Weisbuch becomes professor on Tuesday afternoons in the Methodist Archives, where he teaches his CLA course "American Novels".

To the students of this semester's American Novels seminar class, the title "University President" ceases to hold its place in front of Bob Weisbuch's name. Instead, to them, it's Professor Weisbuch.

For Weisbuch, teaching in the Methodist Archives is a change of scenery from his office on the second floor of Mead Hall. One can hear Weisbuch coming around the corner into the spacious upstairs classroom before you see him. The walls of the room are lined with glass cases containing small busts of prominent Methodist figures, painted plates and even a preserved thumb. As Weisbuch sits within the discussion circle, musings made by students are met with a "wonderful point," or an "absolutely right."

"It is a different and extraordinary experience to have the University President teach one of my English classes," Andrea Clater ('08) said.

This is far from Weisbuch's first class. He mentions how the first time he taught "The Great Gatsby," was in 1972, and this makes the second class he's led since coming to Drew. It is this span of knowledge Weisbuch provides that makes his class a treat to students. "I'm enjoying the reading list he chose, because some novels are classics while others I've never read or even heard of before," Clater said.

Sarah Hartshorne ('09) was drawn to the same elements. "The discussion is great," she said.

It's clear from their worn covers and noted pages that Weisbuch has read "The Great Gatsby" more than several times. In class, he estimates about 14. His notes, penned on worn and yellowed paper ripped out from a notebook, look about as old as his books. The notes, however, are set aside when Weisbuch gets really into the discussion-even acting out a 'delirium' scene in one of Fitzgerald's short stories. Weisbuch started his career as an English professor at the University of Michigan, and the move to administration leaves him little time to indulge in his first passion. "Its a shame I have to have this only one day a week," he said at the beginning of a class. "But it's the only way I can, given all the other stuff I have to do."

That other stuff is the only time Weisbuch acknowledges the fact he's the school's top-ranking administrator. The rest of his class focuses on analyzing the last few pages of Kate Chopin's "Awakening" and contextualizing decadence in Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby." Weisbuch also takes time to congratulate his students who worked on "Little Shop of Horrors."

"It's really not hard to separate the administrator from the professor. He's such a strong presence in the classroom and in leading the discussions, that's where the attention lies," Hartshorne said.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools