HWS COMMUNITY |
Indelible Effects
AUFSES
3 / Robin Dissin Aufses ’71, P’11 on Professor of English Katherine Dapp Cook, L.H.D. ’84
Nine alums reflect on the professors who helped to set the foundation of their lives and careers.
STEWART
WOODWORTH
HAYDON
COOK
CAPREEDY
1 / Nick Stewart ’15 on Associate Professor of Theatre Chris Woodworth
2 / Nicholas Haydon ’19 on Associate Professor of Classics James Capreedy
Professor Woodworth inspired me to find what it was that I enjoyed about theatre. She pushed me to think about the content in a play and not just enjoy the story; there are always connections between a play and real or current events. When I was cast in Professor Woodworth’s production of Alice in Wonderland, I found my niche for losing myself and becoming the character. Professor Woodworth allowed me to see that there are no flaws in theatre. That year, I was able to pick myself off the ground and run head-on into the art as I embarked on my journey to graduate school to receive my MFA. If it wasn’t for Professor Woodworth as a mentor and supporter in who I was as a person, beyond the stage, I wouldn’t have the work ethic and drive I do today. Because of her, my favorite plays are written by women.
When I was a senior in high school, I visited Hobart so I could have first-hand experience of what it would be like to attend. During that visit, I was privileged to meet with a few professors in the Classics department, my eventual major. Professor Capreedy took the time to have lunch with me. He answered my questions, provided insight and exuded a friendly, welcoming attitude that I would not forget. It was only fitting that three years later, Professor Capreedy served as my advisor for my Honors project. His knowledge, patience and tutelage guided me through the painstaking process of writing an Honors thesis. The writing and research skills I learned through working closely with him prepared me for my job after graduation, and I still use them to this day. But, more importantly, his mentorship and friendship made the experience something for which I am forever grateful.
Stewart is a company member with Step Afrika! in Washington, D.C. Woodworth earned her doctorate at Bowling Green State University. She joined the faculty in 2013.
Haydon is the grants manager with the Texas Public Policy Foundation in Washington, D.C. Capreedy received his doctorate from the University of British Columbia. He joined the faculty in 2009.
I first encountered Katy Cook when she proctored a Western Civ exam. Halfway through she stopped us and served us Cokes. When I took her James Joyce seminar she had us over for Irish coffee, and when I visited her because I couldn't figure out how to write about Molly Bloom, she served me sherry. My memories of her are related to more than serving drinks, of course. I've been a high school English teacher for more than 40 years and I think of her whenever I hand something to my students. Professor Cook called all of her handouts Throwaways. That little James Joyce in-joke — and so much more — made us feel we were part of a family and that studying literature was the highest good and the most fun. I've tried to be like her, and in my best years and best classes I think I've succeeded, at least a little. Aufses is the director of English studies at the Lycée Français de New York in New York City. Cook died in 1998. She served as a member of the faculty for 37 years.
HOWARD
DAISE
4 / Thomas Howard ’72 on Professor Emeritus of Philosophy Benjamin Daise Ben Daise was my teacher, mentor and friend (which he remains). He showed me how the study of philosophy is practiced — and that changed my life. His Socratic approach, wry wit and insistence that his students be passionate about their studies transformed me from an unfocused adolescent into an adult, with the intellectual foundation that has sustained me throughout my life. But Ben was more than the teacher, and I needed more than that to undertake a transformation. He became my mentor. Not only did we study Plato, Kant, Dewey, Sartre, Kierkegaard and others in the classroom, but we continued to discuss diverse issues through the night. He taught me to love knowledge and critical thinking, to learn. Thanks to him, I earned the Sutherland Prize for Excellence in Philosophy in 1972, graduated from New York University School of Law and was able to find reward in the substantial, but more practical, challenges of the law. Howard is a founding partner at Howard Law LLP in Hackensack, N.J. Daise retired from teaching in 2008 and lives in Rochester, N.Y.
48 / HOBART AND WILLIAM SMITH COLLEGES
