The skill I’m most thankful for comes in two parts: First, there is an answer to my questions somewhere out there, and second, the perseverance and determination to keep looking until I find the answer. (This was long before the internet and Google.)
For example, one time at work I was faced with a chart of data that looked like a shotgun blast, and I needed to find a straight line that best represented the data. Although a math major at Wabash, I’d never heard of the “method of least squares” for determining the formula of a straight line. Somewhere I found a reference to the method, studied it, and applied it to solve the problem. This solution was much better and more elegant than the one in current use, which had been developed by the company’s CEO. The solution was so much more accurate it swept through the company like wildfire, becoming the new standard for solving mathematically what had been pretty much guesswork in the past.
- Bob Kellogg ’55
Perhaps the most important skill I gained from my Wabash experience is the critical-thinking process, largely due to my faculty advisor, Professor Ed Haenisch H’71. As a chemistry major, followed by a 40-plus-year career in the chemical and plastics industries, the ability to analyze, question, and evaluate ideas and concepts became critical in guiding my efforts in new product or process development.
- George “Skip” Thacker ’56
How to think critically.
- Donald Siefker ’57
I learned to be inquisitive and have the confidence to explore an issue; to not take “No,” or, “It can’t be done,” for answers but to persevere and try to solve problems; to not be afraid of the unknown but to challenge myself to find answers where others may have turned away.
- Bob Charles ’59
I really appreciated the liberal arts education I received which has broadened my life in so many ways...I would have missed so much!
H.D. Wilson ’61
Albert Schweitzer’s “Until he extends his circle of compassion to include all living things, man himself will not find peace.” Reverence for life—I owe my making to Robert O. Petty. And a related idea—the Golden Rule as posited by most all world religions and philosopher thought leaders from antiquity. “Do unto others ...” Humanity avoids these ideas at its peril. We’re surrounded by needless rancor and divisiveness and the profound threats of human-driven climate change to Earth and all living things.
- Stephen Jay ’63
My heroes like Glee Club director Bob Mitchum H’59 had intelligence, focus ability, passion, compassion, and absolute integrity.
- Lin Warfel ’63
I learned that I could do almost anything if I just had the right book, and now that would be the internet.
- Jerry Smith ’64
I learned freedom of thought, tolerance, and how to study. Medical school was an academic regression compared to Wabash.
- PT Buntin ’65
I arrived at Wabash in the fall of 1961, after three years at a small military school in the cornfields of Illinois. I came to Wabash with a couple of advantages. The military school discipline served me well during the rigors of my freshman-year workload. Another advantage was that I had been a reader since adolescence. Freshman English was a pleasure course, and the knowledge I gained about the history of western civilization, a course many of my cohorts hated, was very welcome.
As I was growing up in Chicago, I remember adults extolling the virtues of a liberal arts education. There was no question that I would attend a liberal arts college. All my life I’ve continued to educate myself in the liberal arts.
One specific and grateful benefit I received from the College was that at the end of my sophomore year when I declared I wanted to spend my junior year in France, I was encouraged to do so, and that on my return I would be evaluated on what I had accomplished and graded accordingly. In July 1963, I landed on the Riviera at Cannes and enrolled in what would be a succession of summer language schools for foreigners. I quickly decided that if I was to learn the language, I would have to give up speaking and reading English entirely. It was lonely and difficult at first, but by the time I returned to Wabash in Fall 1964, I could speak, read, and write French fluently. On returning to Wabash, I was given full credit for my year abroad. I passed comps and graduated in the spring of 1965.
- Eric Farber ’65
I’m thinking ... Oh! Maybe that’s it! I’m thinking!
- John Lennes ’66
1. How to write.
2. Lifelong learning.
- Philip Coons ’67
I got a quality education at Wabash. What was most valuable to me was the quality of the faculty like Paul Mielke ’42, Lew Salter H’57, and Ed Haenisch H’71. These were men one could hope to emulate.
The other thing that was most valuable to me was friendships with men outside my experience base. A Black man and a gay man were among my friends. These friendships broadened my horizons and helped me be understanding and appreciative of the people I met later in my career of research and development management.
- C. David Decker ’67
I am thankful for two lessons:
1. Professors really cared about teaching the subject matter and having the students participate in the enjoyment of the journey.
2. Ed Haenisch H’71 taught us to really learn the basic chemistry reactions and mechanisms—preferably with self-made flash cards. He taught us that learning chemistry is much like learning a language. Until you understand the vocabulary and grammar, it will forever be an inscrutable mystery. Once you know the language, the rest is easy.
- Bob Pinschmidt ’67
I got a degree that enabled me to fly over the jungle of Vietnam, instead of slogging through it. I was drafted two days after I graduated, but I had already signed my soul to the Air Force.
- Jim Roper ’68
I learned about what I did not know and what I had yet to learn. I also discovered there are individuals who are much more intelligent than Dan Vannatter!
I took Ancient Greek, a class of three students. Professor John Frederick Charles H’52 was an icon and worked me like a plow horse for two years. Best choice I ever made.
I learned the true value of camaraderie and respect, which guided me through my military career as well as my interpersonal relationships.
I believe that the Wabash experience both prepared and authorized me to make optimal decisions and choices over my career and lifetime!
- Dan Vannatter ’68
Professor Peter Frederick H’92 taught me to focus on students and what they are learning rather than just on the teaching.
Raymond Williams H’68
I’ve had or known several truly extraordinary teachers. Larry Hackstaff was one at the top of the list along with Norm Maclean, whom you may know as the author of “A River Runs Through It.”
Both were also very idiosyncratic—part of their greatness, I’m sure.
- Phil Wilson ’68
Exposure to the liberal arts—politics, literature, history, Asia, religion, even biology were the subjects that captured my interest then. But this was the late ’60s, so I cultivated, mainly by trial and error, a healthy skepticism of all gospels, secular and religious. “Question authority” for me was not license but instead an unspoken reminder not to believe everything people say. Finally, in retrospect, Wabash let me study in Japan during my third year, so I learned the language and then used it to explore Japan’s history and politics in print.
Roger Bowen ’69
The best skill I learned was how to complete a blank blue book.
- Larry Parker ’69
In the winter of my freshman year, I drank too much at the Christmas dance at Sigma Chi and was arrested driving my underage date back to the Lew Wallace. I spent the night at the old circular jail, now a museum, and her father drove from Indianapolis to get her.
A couple of days later, as my parents and I were sitting in Dean Norman Moore H’77’s office, he said to me, “We don’t have a lot of committees here. I make the decisions, and you are out.” My suspension lasted for the remainder of the semester, but I was allowed to register for the spring semester.
The lesson that Moore taught me was that actions have consequences. And I have remembered it. I will always be grateful to him for teaching it to me.
- Charlie Raiser ’69
One of the lessons I learned at Wabash that has benefited me the most in the ensuing years is to use my ears twice as much as using my tongue.
- Gene Schofield ’69
There was a class I took in my freshman year in which we were asked to list “for or against” a variety of issues. We were then tasked with debating one of those issues but having to defend the opposite side of our viewpoint. It was worth a third of our grade. It was a great learning experience, because it caused us to better understand the opposing viewpoint and to see strengths in both sides of the argument. I wish all the colleges and universities today would encourage young people to be willing to attentively listen and better understand all sides of the issues. It is a skill that all good managers, supervisors, jury members, parents, and citizens need to successfully do their jobs.
- Robert Hendrickson ’70
Wabash taught me how to work hard. It has been invaluable.
- David Pfanschmidt ’71
Critical thinking and working and living with diverse individuals.
James Ashbaugh ’75
It’s challenging to identify a single skill or lesson for which I am most thankful—economic concepts from Professor Ben Rogge H’53, a wide range of biology concepts and knowledge from a wonderful faculty led by Professor Tom Cole ’58, the kindness of my advisor Professor Aus Brooks ’61. But if I must choose one, it would be the teaching of the scientific scrutiny of research within the course in experimental social psychology taught by Professor Peter Bankart. The lessons of objective review and analysis have helped throughout my career.
- Robert Crowell ’75
As part of the Wabash experience, I enrolled in a Russian language class. Professor Peteris Silins H’63 was our instructor. Even though I was unsuccessful in learning Russian, I did retain three random phrases: “Do you speak Russian?” (ты говоришь по-русски?), “Glad to hear it!” (рад это слышать), and “Oh, by the way, I brought some herring” (о, кстати, я принес немного селедки).
Years later practicing law, I was negotiating with a European Group about purchasing my client’s rights to medical technology. The Europeans had a penchant for breaking into French or German when the issue of money was raised, each time apologizing to me and remarking that they would now only speak English. Our negotiations continued for three or four days, and we traveled to a large family-style restaurant in Chicago that served ethnic food from Eastern Europe. Once again money was being discussed, and the Europeans broke into a foreign language that I recognized as Russian.
Their Russian conversation continued for some time until a waitress brought a large platter of fish to our table. I asked her what it was and she told me herring. I turned to my European friends and announced, “Oh, by the way, I brought some herring,” in my best Russian as I passed them the large platter of herring.
Their faces immediately turned ashen. They apologized profusely and told me they would not speak any language other than English. In response, I told them in Russian, “Glad to hear it.” The deal successfully closed the next day. My clients were very happy. I have no idea what the Europeans were saying in Russian, but they believed that I understood every word.
- Mark Guenin ’75
Wabash instilled a passion for learning, ingrained the skills to think critically, and provided a broad background of exposure that has served to enrich my life for several decades.
- M.C. Minick ’75
Student leadership.
So much of what happens outside of the classroom and some of what happens in classes takes place because of excellent student leadership.
When one becomes a Glee Club officer, a Bachelor editor, a team captain, or a member of co-curricular programs, the ability to lead and to influence to complete their activities with excellence becomes character-building experience.
No college or university does that better than Wabash.
- John Kerezy ’77
I’ve always been curious about how things work, but I noticed that technology people had trouble explaining it to others. That’s why I double-majored in math and speech and took every computer science class Wabash offered. Which wasn’t much in the 1970s.
I like to think I’m a quick learner—a must in the technology industry—and I’m pretty good at teaching people how stuff works without putting them to sleep. Wabash taught me that.
I’m also a published author. I spend nights and weekends studying how to hijack trucks, blow up buildings, make cell phone bombs, launch cyberattacks, and groom vulnerable people. Novel research really does lead to colorful scenarios. Friends tell me I should be on a government watchlist.
Wabash also helped bring out my irreverent side.
- Greg Scott ’79
I have two lessons from my Wabash professors that have been remarkably valuable throughout my life:
1. Professor Larry Hackstaff’s courses in philosophy, symbolic logic, and metalogic taught me the knowledge and skills intrinsic to their content, as well as how to think critically, present coherent and sound arguments, and analyze the arguments of others. Professor Hackstaff was a notoriously challenging teacher, which was a gift to those of us who pursued his instruction. I do not recall how many courses I took from him, but I have used what I learned from him every day of my post-Wabash life—personal and professional.
2. Professor Donald Baker H’57 taught me Shakespeare in a way that engendered in me love of “the poet,” but also a better way to read and understand poetry in general. Much of what led me to get a doctorate in English language and literature had roots in Professor Baker’s extraordinary teaching. He insisted on clear and concise writing on tests and in papers. From him I learned there are always a variety of ways to articulate ideas and that the choice among alternatives is a function of the purpose for writing and the audience. This awareness has helped me succeed in academia, business, and volunteer work, including local political positions.
- Gregory G. Rose ’80
Relationships matter! This is both a skill and a lesson. Little did I know when I began my journey at Wabash College that five of my new acquaintances would become lifelong friends. At Wabash, I learned the skills of finding and retaining good friendships. I learned the skills of identifying like-minded and seemingly unlikely people who later became friends. I learned that friendships can be with those in proximity to me and those far away. I learned how to maintain well-balanced and mutually satisfying friendships. And, because relationships matter, begin to find and cultivate them during your college years and watch as they expand and grow. I am thankful for Wabash College and the many relationships that issued forth from those formative years.
- Dan Doster ’81
Soccer! Wabash gave me soccer, and that has helped me connect with, and stay connected with, myself, my kids, communities, and the world! It has given me things to watch, play, and look forward to, and to read and cheer about.
Thank you to my Wabash soccer community, and especially to Professor John Fischer H’70, Laurent Kahl, Brian Bowerman ’81, Coach Bill Rost, and my 1981 Wabash soccer teammates and alumni and Coach Roberto Giannini and Coach Chris Keller, and all Wabash players since for continuing that gift of connection!
- Scott Dreher ’82
This question falls easily for me; without hesitation, the courage and determination to ask critical questions driven by the thirst to learn true backgrounds looking past the facade.
I have had the privilege to live in five and travel to nearly 50 countries. Initially each adventure presented challenges where I could only compare to my original Midwest mentality. With each move and visit, my comparison base grew. But what allowed me to begin to understand each of those cultures was the willingness to ask critical questions. Since the answers were many times completely contrary to what I had thought was the “truth” and “right and wrong” from my childhood community’s view, it demanded swallowing my pride. Pride swallowing drove me to try to understand those conflicts. The deeper I delved, the more rewarding my experiences became.
- Jonathan Bultemeyer ’83
There are two things I learned as a Wabash undergraduate: Listening to other points of view while disagreeing. Being able to critically think and drill down to the fundamentals of a concept or thought to gain understanding.
- Kyle Foyer ’83
I have been reading Dan Porterfield’s book, “Mindset Matters: The Power of College to Activate Lifelong Growth.” In it, he makes the case that colleges—specifically residential colleges like Wabash—are places that foster a growth mindset. A growth mindset is the belief that with the help of others, we can enhance our qualities or talents through effort, strategies, and education. The person with a fixed mindset says, “I’m not good at math,” while the one with a growth mindset says, “I’m not good at math yet but I’m going to be.” It is the confidence that we know how to know.
What I learned at Wabash was how to learn things. I saw how curiosity and persistence pay off. More often than not, learning things just leads to more questions, and I am grateful for that lifelong curiosity.
- Greg Britton ’84
The lessons of Professor Hall Peebles H’63 and Professor Bill Placher ’70—the power and eloquence of the spoken word, commanding an audience, thoughtful reflection—endure and played a major role in my career.
- Ray Jovanovich ’84
I have reflected over the decades and shared my answers with alumni, friends, and prospective students. The three lessons I value the most from Wabash:
Learning how to learn, particularly subject matter that I was not familiar with. The high standards held by the faculty, administrators, and alumni mentors set the bar for defining being knowledgeable and its application.
Growing the confidence to tackle new subjects and topics. Being okay with realizing I don’t know what I need to, but that I can learn it.
Surrounding yourself with knowledgeable people and value, versus being intimidated by the fact that they know more than you do.
- Pete Wilson ’84
There are three: to believe that I was smart and had something to offer (thanks, Professor Eric Dean H’61 and Dean Norman Moore H’77), to be a humanist (the Cultures and Traditions course was a big part in this), and the ability to be a critical thinker (thanks, Wabash!).
- Michael Cummings ’86
In the mid-1980s we had this weekly opportunity on campus called “It Seems to Me That ...” Anyone could give a brief talk on just about any topic, expressing an opinion, and some good discussion usually followed. For the final session of Spring 1987, somehow, I got chosen with a few other guys to do a group presentation—the topic was seniors sharing their sage wisdom. About eight of us made brief statements. As I recall, I was last to go and the session’s end was very near. I said, “Presenting complex issues as if they’re simple is both misleading to those less informed than you and insulting to those better educated than you and is, therefore, both imprudent and unethical.”
- Ken Ogorek ’87
Conversation with Professor Hall Peebles H’63, my advisor, at his office:
Peebles: Chotu, don’t say, “I don’t know.”
Chotu: But what if I don’t know?
Peebles: Have an opinion. Say something. Saying, “I don’t know,” is just boring!
- Chotu Khan ’95
To remain intellectually curious always and to realize there is always something yet to learn in life. That liberal arts foundation has afforded me a great adaptability in my career and the opportunities to observe patterns that sometimes my colleagues miss. It has helped me with relationship development and strategic insight and allowed me to have a lot of fun in my work along the way.
- Roy Sexton ’95
I’m most thankful for the critical-thinking skills I learned at Wabash. The ability to comprehensively evaluate a broad range of issues quantitatively, qualitatively, and ethically has become a treasured companion to all aspects of my life. Further, Wabash taught me how to address and synthesize complex problems into simple, persuasive arguments that matter.
- Brian E. Flanigan ’96
The one skill I learned from Wabash College that I am most grateful for is looking at other perspectives. As a history major, we were challenged to view history from other perspectives to get a deeper understanding. As a school principal, I try to view situations from various perspectives—student, teacher, parent, etc. It helps my decision-making process by trying to understand all perspectives. I credit Wabash College for teaching me this skill.
- Jamie Bopp ’03
At Wabash, I was introduced to the genre of creative nonfiction. But I took a course on Annie Dillard with a visiting professor, Carol Tyx, and a course on creative nonfiction with a master of the genre, Joy Castro. When I graduated in 2005, I was accepted to the M.A. program in creative writing at Ball State University. However, I chose not to attend.
Instead, I went to work as a GED prep and ESL facilitator at Allen County Community Corrections in Fort Wayne—an organization where three other Wabash graduates were already working, and where I had interned the summer before. From there, I went into ministry and then I decided to pursue mental health as a calling that could either bring an additional skill set to ministry or open new opportunities. I currently serve as a therapist at a state prison in Georgia. I am also the author of a book of creative nonfiction, “That’s Me in the Closet: A Spiritual Memoir,” published in August 2023 by Resource Publications, a division of Wipf and Stock.
The book is a reflection of my liberal arts background. It incorporates insights from religion classes I took at Wabash, later studies in theology, counseling, and psychology. It was written with skills in writing creative nonfiction honed at Wabash.
- Steven Andrews ’05
Critical thinking and lifelong learning. While I received my doctorate in optometry, my learning never ends! New medications, new surgeries, etc. always push me to learn more so I can educate my patients fully on their ocular conditions and possible treatment options.
- Drew Hoffman ’06
I am most thankful for the people of Wabash, but the lesson I am most thankful for is the value of a multidisciplinary education. I learned that you don’t have to be a genius in any given area (and Wabash made it clear very quickly that I was not), but if you can master the big ideas from lots of disciplines (science, math, psychology, rhetoric), then you have a pretty good toolbox for the rest of your life.
- Kevin Meyer ’06
The skill I am most thankful for learning at Wabash is the ability to think critically and synthesize ideas. I remember several moments during my time at Wabash where I was challenged to connect what I was learning to modern-day challenges or to integrate insights from multiple readings into a cohesive, original thought.
One memorable example was during the Cultures and Traditions course, where we were reading one of the Homer books, and the discussion turned to relating how one of the war stories was similar to what happened in Russia during WWII. The ability to tie two different stories into one lesson taught me how to analyze complex problems from multiple perspectives, a skill I now use daily in my professional life.
As a product strategist responsible for guiding a portfolio’s direction, I constantly draw on those lessons. The ability to think strategically, ask the right questions, and connect disparate ideas has been invaluable in my career, and I credit Wabash for fostering those skills.
- Ryan Stephens ’07
Wabash taught many skills, from the general, like supporting opinion in writing and speaking, to the specific, like translating Classical Latin verse. But my answer: talking to strangers. The very thing mom warned us about, Wabash taught us to do at every opportunity. I got to talk to candidates for college president, visiting speakers, and dozens of fascinating people across Europe. I even learned to talk to a few people from Crawfordsville. In the decade plus since graduation, this skill has served me well.
- Zack Thompson ’13
Intellectual curiosity. I fell in love with reading and self-education while at Wabash. I realized how cool and interesting increasing my intellect and nuance was. Wabash classrooms and academic colloquiums provided a fertile ground for that; so did leadership application and trial in the fraternity environment.
- Ramsey Ice Bradke ’14
The greatest skill I learned while at Wabash was consideration. My time there taught me how to consider where people were coming from when they arrived at a point of view—how their upbringings, environments, and other internal and external influences had shaped how they saw the world. Considering those helped me understand that person better. I still might not fully agree with the person but at least it could lead to more respectful and open-minded discussion.
- Alex Schrader ’14