Jeff Donnerberg was one of my favorite teachers of my time. He is relational, funny and very intelligent. He was a bit of a counselor too. I remember him talking and meeting with many students, including myself, during difficult times in our lives. I have returned to Eastern a few times and always make a point of stopping in to see Mr. Donnerberg. He defines what is so great about EWU – excellent teacher and an excellent person. Jeremy Wheatley ’03, ’99 Jeff Donnerberg is an associate professor, technology/manufacturing and construction, EWU’s Engineering Department. He’s taught at Eastern since fall 1990.
Jeff Donnerberg
I know you have the talent to be a great journalist, if you want to. If not, then you have the personality that you can, and will, succeed in whichever path you choose.
Jeremy Anderson was my professor, my advisor, my friend and also my son’s Boy Scout leader. Dr. Anderson had a deep regard for his students. He loved to explore the world around him and share his findings with us. Once, he came in with a backpack full of possibly edible plants and roots he’d foraged around the local area, letting us know that if we got lost in the wilderness, we wouldn’t have to starve. I’ll never forget the time my son, Michael and I were returning to Cheney from Spokane and saw a scruffy looking guy with a bicycle standing by the freeway entrance ramp, trying to hitch a ride. I pushed down the door lock with my elbow and said, “I ain’t giving you a ride, buddy.” That’s when my son exclaimed, “That’s Dr. Anderson!” Sure enough, he’d pedaled to Spokane but wanted a ride back. Lucky thing, my Chevy Nova had a hatchback. We lost him way too soon and I miss him still. Martha J. Campbell ’82 Jeremy Anderson, PhD, died accidently in 1987. He taught geography at Eastern from 1971-1987. (photo not available) My favorite professor was Bill Stimson. I’ll tell you the moment when I knew he really wanted me to succeed in life, as opposed to just pass a class. The journalism class had an assignment to write about something local. I decided to do a feature on the Spokane Raceway and how they hosted drag races on Friday nights. But being new to journalism, it was hard to get good quotes and I ended up just doing a lame article on the student elections. When Stimson returned the assignments after grading them, he said, “See me after class.” I met with him and explained my original idea and how I had found it difficult to get quotes from people. He said that he knew I had more potential and talent then the student elections article and gave me a number of tips on getting quotes and talking to sources. He told me to get him the article on Monday. He then finished with, “I know you have the talent to be a great journalist, if you want to. If not, then you have the personality that you can, and will, succeed in whichever path you choose.” I used his tips, wrote an awesome article and got an “A” on the assignment, but more than that, Stimson showed me that he didn’t just care about me passing a class, he truly cared about me succeeding in life. Casey Knopik ‘07 Bill Stimson ’69, has taught in the EWU Journalism Program since 1989.
William “Bill” Stimson, PhD
Editor’s note: Thank you to everyone who contributed to this article. If you have a story you’d like to share with us about your favorite professor send it to easternmagazine@ewu.edu, mail to Eastern magazine, 300 Showalter Hall, Cheney, WA 99004-2445.
Spring /Summer 2011
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