A True Trojan

            Walking through the Trojan Center recently you may have noticed the table tents advertising the True Trojan Hexagon Awards. If you are unaware, the Faculty Outstanding Contributor award is given to teaching staff that have been nominated by the student body for their outstanding performance. The informational explains that “Faculty members are the core of DSU as they mentor, inspire, and teach students, contribute to research and creative activity, as well as engage in significant service.” Clearly, there would be no cause for the rest of us to be on campus without our wonderful and diverse professors. As the deadline of March 1 quickly approaches, I took some time to ask around about possible candidates.

            I spoke with Shane Farmer, a Cyber Leadership and Intelligence major, who indicated that classes with Dr. Young are always welcoming and thought provoking. While speaking with Shane he indicated that another CLI student, Andrew Geurts, was even more appreciative of Dr. Young’s classes. I got in contact with Andrew and he gladly let me know what makes classes with the CLI professor so engaging. He explained that Cyber Leadership was a favorite class for him because of “how it explores different philosophers and their thought processes” which made the class feel more “outside the box and thought provoking than usual.” By exploring the history of various countries Dr. Young brings a unique perspective to contemporary global issues. Geurts went on to offer that an emphasis on theory and history of countries helps explain “what caused each respective country to act the way it does today.” Through exploring ongoing conflicts Dr. Young is able to bring more of the so called ‘real world’ into the classroom and debate the issues with nuance and a deeper perspective than what is offered in other classes.

            When discussing what makes Dr. Young a good teacher, both Shane and Andrew summed it up in two words: teaching style. Both students mentioned how the environment inside the classroom during Dr. Young’s classes are more engaging than other professors. Andrew explained that not only does he feel comfortable expressing his thoughts in class, but also stated that it is enjoyable to hear a professor give lectures from a perspective that is not necessarily their own. “While it is not uncommon for professor’s to be knowledgeable on their subjects, I really like how Dr. Young is willing to explore things from a view that he might not exactly agree with.” Andrew further suggested that exploration of differing perspectives in the lectures “makes the class feel much less stale.” Shane also mirrored this sentiment by saying that he “makes class enjoyable for all students.” If you are looking for a class that offers a diverse examination of a variety of topics any of Dr. Young’s classes will be a good fit.

            In the short time that Dr. Young has been a part of DSU he has gone above and beyond to make students feel at home inside his classes. When I first experienced Dr. Young, he was only a prospective professor. I was lucky enough to be a member of Dr. Kemper’s class the day that Dr. Young first came to campus. As a newly minted CLI student I was eager to learn who would be taking over as head of the program. In a classroom that had just as many professors as students it was a different perspective I was not expecting. But more so, I was not expecting the expansive lecture on the American Frontier Thesis that Dr. Young gave that day. From printed hand-outs to selecting students to answer questions directly it was clear this prospective teacher was eager to engage with everyone inside the classroom. I left that day enthralled with how well prepared and delivered this future professor was. From before it was clear that he would be a member of the faculty I understood his dedication to teaching. But what is even grander is that other students, unprovoked, gave me his name when I asked about the Hexagon award.

            Anyone wishing to submit their own favorite faculty member for consideration has until March 1 to make a submission at https://dsu.edu/about-dsu/programs-initiatives/true-trojan.html