Photo by Moriah Weyer, Fleur Graphic Photography
warriors on their way
C om arts major M c T avish also “ majors ” in biology
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ennifer McTavish’s reason for taking a 200-level biology lab as a freshman was simple. She wanted to get through a dreaded subject as quickly as possible. “I remember telling Dr. Erbe, my professor, in a very frustrated voice that I just wanted to pass his class and never use biology again for the rest of my life.” She did much better than “just pass” that class, and in fact took two additional science lab classes. “I wanted to know more!” she said. “Dr. Erbe was always there to answer questions, especially when I wondered why I was killing every bacterium I was ever supposed to grow.” Today she’s using biology on a daily basis. As a project manager for The Movement Disorder Society in Milwaukee, McTavish works with doctors, scientists, and research organizations doing studies that use scales to rate the disease severity of conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, tremor, and Restless Legs Syndrome. “I also work with five different task forces and an educational program on basic movement disorders,” she said. “I’m in a doctorand-scientist-centered environment that focuses on the neurological breakdown of movement. Besides knowing how to spell and pronounce these diseases, I now understand the basics of their symptoms, stages, and treatment options.” Even when she landed her first full-time position after she graduated from WLC, as the public relations coordinator at the regional chapter of the Arthritis Foundation, she was being reminded about the value of a liberal arts, broad-based college education. “I found myself digging through all my saved class materials in search of that biology textbook,” she said. “I needed to do some research before interviewing rheumatologists for an upcoming article in a publication. I wanted to be able to ask smart questions and understand the answers. When that publication was printed, I sent Dr. Erbe an email thanking him, and saying I was wrong about never using biology again.
Jennifer McTavish ’06, majored in communicative arts, but finds herself using her WLC biology textbook on nearly a daily basis. As for other reminders of WLC in her career, she mentions the cross at the very top of the campus’ administration building that remains a personal favorite image for her. McTavish is shown in front of her office building in downtown Milwaukee.
“I still have the textbook from biology class as an essential reference tool on my desk,” McTavish said. “Now I work with neurologists and scientists from around the world. When I get published as a contributing author in a medical journal some day, I’ll be sending Dr. Erbe another thank you note!”
Staying in touch
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BS MoneyWatch in 2011 ranked WLC as one of the “25 colleges with the Best Professors.” In light of that recognition, through an initiative titled “Show & Tell,” dozens of alumni have taken the time to tell their stories about professors who have impacted their lives (such as Jennifer McTavish, thanking Dr. Jarrod Erbe, professor of biology). At the same time, many are showing their appreciation by making a gift in honor of their favorite professors. Learn more at 8 wlc.edu/showandtell. 28 | wlc.edu
Each year the office of alumni and parent relations uses email to announce events and share other college items of interest with alumni and parents. To stay in the loop, and to maintain the most immediate connection with WLC, be sure to notify Lisa Leffel ’98, director of alumni and parent relations, with your current email address. 8 Visit wlc.edu/alumni or call 414.443.8796 any time to keep in touch!