As a student at Mitchell College, I was lucky enough to find one professor who really inspired me. All my professors were great people, but I always loved the classes that I took with the legendary (I'm biased) Marc Goldsmith.
However, I didn't love him at first.
I transferred to Mitchell in the fall of 2010 after a disastrous first year at Nazareth College. Starting out at Mitchell, I didn't really know what I wanted to do in life. I threw myself in to my classes and just assured myself that I would find what I was destined for.
My first college class at Mitchell was College Writing 101 with Marc Goldsmith. He was a pretty relaxed professor and he had a great sense of humor. Our first project in College Writing 101 was to write a paper about a person or place that inspired us. I decided to write about my relationship with my best friend and how we met.
For those of you who are new to my blog, my best friend and I met on a fan club website. We only knew each other on the internet until we met in person in the summer of 2010. We have a very strong bond and I'd be lost without her in my life.
Ericca and I, Mitchell College Commencement 2013
When the paper was due, we had to discuss our paper in front of the class. I didn't realize how personal my topic was until my teacher and I disagreed about the way that I met my best friend. We argued in front of the class and it ended up with me leaving the class in tears, but my teacher was right in the end. As upset as I was, I failed out of the class because I simply stopped going out of anger.
After switching my major to Communications, I found out that my academic advisor was set to be Marc Goldsmith. I absolutely panicked. I knew from my experience with him during my very first semester that I didn't like him. I showed up at his office door for my first advising session and was completely shocked at how well he wanted me to do. This was not the man from the first semester.
After taking a class with him again, I loved his teaching style. I had earned his respect by working hard, something that I didn't do when I was a first semester transfer. From then on out, we formed a professor/student relationship with a mutual respect for what the other brought to the table.
Marc Goldsmith and I, Mitchell College Commencement 2014
From classes like Communication and Conflict Resolution to Introduction to Mass Media, I learned a lot from this particular professor. Since then, he's always written me glowing letters of recommendation, advocated for me, and respected me for my career.
Mr. Goldsmith was the type of professor who always said what was on his mind. He never once shyed away from telling the truth, no matter how it would make you feel. He knew what his students were capable of and he pushed them to their limits and beyond. Once I got to knew him, I was grateful that I had an academic advisor who truly looked out for my best interests.
Shortly before graduating in May 2013, I visited him in his office in Bingham Hall one last time. I knew with the craziness of graduation that I likely wouldn't see him during the ceremony so I wanted to at least get the chance to say goodbye. I still have the card that he gave me that day in his office.
I like to think that because of the influence that he had on me throughout my years at Mitchell, I am achieving success with my dreams goals. Not only did Mr. Goldsmith teach me the importance of hard work, but also how to be a good team player, the importance of communicating your needs and wants, and always being your best advocate.
It's been a number of years since I have seen my favorite professor. He always had his door open whenever I'd come back to visit the coastal New London campus. He was always there to listen when nobody else would. I hope to visit him one more time before he retires from teaching for good.
To Professor Goldsmith: Thank you. Thank you for pushing me beyond what I thought I could do. Thank you for always making me laugh, especially on the tough days that I thought would never end. Most of all, thank you for making me fall in love with the world of journalism.
Signing off,
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