John Murphy

My mother found herself a single mother with two children in the mid-1960s. Beloit College nurtured, trained, and gave her the confidence to be an outstanding and successful, highly respected teacher to support us! Thank you, Beloit College!

Steven Soli'22

Biology

Coach Kevin Lerg came in for my senior year season for lacrosse as the third coach our senior class had while playing lacrosse at Beloit. He immediately brought the team together and established a culture while trusting myself and the other seniors to lead the team. He gave us the chance to meet with multiple recruits off the field and teach the young players how to play the game fluidly on the field. He is a man of few words but someone who knows what to say when. I looked up to him and want to emulate him as a person and aspiring physician.

Tori Key'03

Economics & Management

As director of the McNair Scholars Program, Associate Dean DeVon Wilson’90 was a fierce advocate for first-generation minority students like me to work through our self-doubt and go on to graduate studies, many as Ph.Ds.

Bruce Bartleson'56

Geology

Dr. Hank Woodard, or “The Chief,” as he was fondly known, was truly inspirational to his students. He exhibited enthusiasm, integrity, a deep knowledge of his subject, and a rare combination of caring for students while maintaining respect and admiration. Many of his students went on to teach with “The Chief” as their model.

Mary Riley'90

Anthropology

Admissions officer Frank Crivello was my first contact with Beloit College. If he happened to see me walk past Middle College to classes, he’d yell out of his window to flag me down. Then I’d walk over, and we’d chat a bit. That welcoming, supportive gesture was emblematic of my experience at Beloit.

Hannah Yee'19

Psychology

Professor Ron Watson guided my Honors Term Project, which focused on the intersection between Rock County’s rate of sexually transmitted infections and the opioid epidemic. He pushed me to collaborate with community organizations, collect ethnographies and use my findings to inform the work of the Beloit Public Health Initiative.

Tom Mullaney'61

Economics

In the fall of 1958, I was a transfer student to Beloit. Professor Les McAllister, as my advisor, was the first staff I met. Other than U.S. Economic History, I can’t remember any other economics courses I took my first semester, but eventually I took all of his. He gave me an interest in economics that continues to this day.

James Ettorre'77

Student

Professor Tom McBride was an inspiration. It is thanks to him that I can express myself clearly with the written word. I remember one class where he analyzed a single page of a memoir, demonstrating why it was so persuasive and focused. My head was spinning by the end of the class. I learned how to dive deep into writing to understand its effect.

Jishnu Guha'13

Media Studies

Professor John Kaufmann’s infectious enthusiasm, passion, and commitment while directing me in several Beloit theater productions such as Kid Simple: A Radio Play In The Flesh and The Lady From The Sea. That is why I’m a filmmaker today.

David Eisenberg'77

Economics

Jerry Gustafson and Les McAllister were amazing professors and mentors. They encouraged their students to challenge themselves in economics and to capture the full breadth of a liberal arts education. Importantly, they both also encouraged leadership and engagement with the broader community as well. I still value their lessons today. (The attached photo is from my graduation, with Dr. Gustafson standing to my right.)

Alfonso Colasuonno'06

Creative Writing

DeVon Wilson’90, Lee Gray’98, Nick Ewoldt, and Phyllis Hill from Beloit’s TRIO and McNair programs inspired me to set my aspirations high in life. I could relate to them because they showed that a commitment to low-income, first-generation students like me wasn’t just “lip service,” but that they truly cared and wanted the best for me and everyone else. Throughout my entire time they set the bar high and inspired me to make my dreams a reality, while also making the most of my education and time at Beloit.

Oceana R. Gilliam'17

Russian & Political Science

Professor Donna Oliver supported me since my very first day at Beloit. As my Russian faculty advisor, she guided me through my Russian study abroad program, introduced me to the work of poet Alexander Pushkin, and mentored me as a Ronald E. McNair Research Scholar.

Allan Dalcher'70

Psychology

Professor Chad Walsh’s book Nellie and Her Flying Crocodile  was one of the first books I ever read. As a freshman in his creative writing class, the topic of children’s books came up, and he said he had no experience in that field. I had to stand up and ask, “What about Nellie?” and he blushed. Never have I witnessed such modesty. He made me a writer.

Renee Murray'80

Spanish

Professor Milt Feder’s willingness to let his international studies students debate even the most controversial topics led to my “aha” moment and a life of social activism through writing.

Judy Schroeder'81

International Relations, Spanish

I had Professor Nicholas Paley for one class as a Porter Scholar student in high school. We focused on a book of short stories that he made sure we understood every word of—and, if we didn’t, to expect a quick public scolding in class! He taught us the importance of truly comprehending what we were reading. I used to pop into his office when I was in WAC for classes, and he always greeted me with a smile and something nice to say.