had her second child, Watts was there for me throughout the entire term, giving me confidence to complete such a large academic project. At the time, she was also working on her book. As a young woman, I remember being amazed at how she was able to balance teaching, research, writing and motherhood and still find the time to give me (and any student who asked) personal attention. After I graduated from Stetson, I wrote a book called Community College Success (NorLights Press, 2012). I emailed Watts shortly after the book was published and thanked her for her guidance with my undergraduate research and for her inspiring example. I told her how she gave me the confidence to write a book while working full time and completing my master’s in education. One-third of the book is dedicated to teaching students why it is necessary to connect with professors in college. In the speeches I give at colleges across the country, I cite the opportunities I was given because of my relationship with Watts. Because of her, I won the S.U.R.E. grant, traveled to a new country for the first time (England), traveled to New Orleans to present my undergraduate research, was the commencement speaker, and won the Etter McTeer Turner Award at graduation. When I list these accomplishments in my speeches, I tell my audience: “I’m not telling you all this to say ‘look how awesome I am,’
because anyone can get these opportunities. I’m telling you this to show you what kind of impact one professor can have on your life.” I’ll never forget standing up at the podium to speak at graduation, knowing that many of the graduates were thinking, “Who is this girl?” I was a community college transfer student who commuted and only attended Stetson for my final two years. I knew I had made it up there because of Dr. Watts. I also knew that because of her and Stetson, my life would never be the same. Isa Adney recently published a book called Community College Success.
The Look By Camellia (Arab) Olds ’10
E
lisabeth Poeter, Ph.D., associate professor of modern languages and literatures, was one of the very first professors I met during my first semester at Stetson. Our German II class gathered in a dim room on the third floor of Elizabeth Hall. My best friend and I were outsiders, new students coming into a group of students who already knew each other from the previous year’s German class. I was sitting on top of a desk with my feet resting on the chair when Poeter entered the
Camellia Olds remembers Elisabeth Poeter’s knowing look “that can say so many things.” room. She gave me a look, one that I learned to love, though it could strike fear into the hearts of many. I’d describe “the look” as a piercing stare that can say so many things. It can say, “Stop that,” or it can also say, “That’s exactly right. Good job.” I hope I can master “the look” someday. I quickly learned from “the look” to get off the desktop and sit myself down in the chair. So began my life as a German minor at Stetson, and it was a wonderful beginning. After that, Poeter would comment many times how that first impression of me sitting on top of the desk and standing out from everyone else would always be how she would remember me. Poeter never, ever let me do less than my very best. When I was too timid to speak up in class, she made me feel that what I had to contribute was worth overcoming my fears. She went out of her way to teach a small German literature course for my friend and me so we could satisfy our degree requirements and graduate on time. She is always welcoming to students and willing to help them when asked. Her guidance helped me on multiple occasions when I was unsure of what direction to take, both in my personal and academic life. Her no-nonsense attitude and self-discipline were something I admire and hope to emulate as I continue my journey into adulthood. Camellia (Arab) Olds works as a global marketing associate for a small business. STETSON
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