The graduating class of 2009 has a wealth of information to share about the classes they’ve taken over the past four years. Though a senior’s favorite classes often depend on his or her major, most seem to agree that a good professor makes a class memorable at Whitman.

A class mentioned frequently as one of Whitman’s better classes was Principles of Astronomy with UJ Sofia. Kaston Griffin said that ASTR 110 was probably his favorite class at Whitman. Griffin, an English major, enjoyed learning about “something as obvious as the moon, which is actually something really complex.” Though Sofia will no longer be teaching next year, Griffin noted that it was a great opportunity to take a class from a NASA scientist.

Some seniors especially enjoyed classes within their major or minor department.

English major Jon Klapp thoroughly enjoyed taking creative writing in the English department and recommends that students take Introduction to Creative Writing. He says, “The creative writing department in general is pretty cool. Katrina Roberts, the poetry and nonfiction lady,   is really good. Scott Elliot, who is on sabbatical this year, is also a good teacher.”

Melissa Andreas, who is minoring in Japanese, was happy to be able to take the language, which wasn’t offered in her high school, at Whitman. Andreas enjoyed courses taught by Professor Akira Takemoto. “It’s really hard to pick one class because I really liked all the classes I took with him,” she said.

Andreas noted that the course she took in the Japanese department was different from taking languages in high school. “The class wasn’t just about vocabulary lists and learning how different verbs worked, but also about taking in Japanese culture along with the language.”

Linda Mummy, mathematics major, enjoyed Math Modeling and Numerical Methods with Professor Doug Hundley. She liked that the course was “useful in other math classes.”

Mummy also added that Hundley’s teaching style and personality made class interesting as well.  “He’s a funny, nice guy, and his class was very useful. Doug is very easy to talk to and is always there for extra help.”

Other students have taken advantage of the new art building, and recommend the various fine arts classes offered at Whitman. Mary-Eileen Gallagher recommends taking Book Arts or Printmaking with Professor Mare Blocker.

Josh Berliner recommends taking the Study of Jazz with Professor David Glenn. Berliner agreed that a great professor can make a class interesting: “Dave is a knowledgeable and charismatic guy who tells stories about his days playing with all the jazz greats.”

The course was comprehensive, something Berliner enjoyed. “The class covers all of jazz history and every possible  type of jazz and jazz artist,” Berliner said, adding that “in the end the course left me with a greater  appreciation for the art form and a want to listen to jazz on my own.”

Other courses that were mentioned as being popular were Introduction to Fiction with Professor Majumdar, Alternative Core with Professor Julia Davis and Whitman in the Global Food System with Professor Aaron Bobrow-Strain.