Imprints left by professors
Board of Trustees member speaks at faculty assembly
by Sandi Tatum
Issue date: 4/20/09 Section: News
Dr. Betty Siegel says she went to a college much like Piedmont. She showed up to her first science class and the professor told her she had no place in science. She says this one negative thing changed her life.
"What an imprint a professor makes on your life," says Siegel during her presentation to the Piedmont's faculty. "One told me I couldn't be a doctor."
The faculty assembles in its entirety once a semester. The faculty senate needed someone to speak. When President Ray Cleere recommended Siegel, it was a unanimous vote.
Siegel is on Piedmont's Board of Trustees and she says she is on 32 boards, including the Advisory Board of Southern Flair Magazine. She is currently the President Emeritus and former president at Kennesaw State University.
The speech Siegel gave at the faculty meeting was about teaching at the college level. Dr. Julie Palmour, faculty senate chair, says for her personally, the speech was an affirmation of her teaching.
"I think that no matter what comes out of her mouth, it is inspiring," says Palmour. "Her feedback is always positive. It was a much needed message for our community."
During the presentation, she also spoke about how technology is affecting teaching. She says the things technology cannot do for you include: human judgment, character, courage, patience and understanding.
"We have become a country of extraordinary technology," says Siegel. "Where is the personal side of this?"
After her speech, Dr. Curtis Bradford, professor of French, asked Siegel her thoughts on the challenge teachers face when students feel college is for job training.
Siegel responded with: "I don't think a college education is a ticket to a trade. Where would we be if we only knew our industry?"
Before this presentation, Bradford heard her speak at one of Piedmont's graduation ceremonies.
"She is a vivacious speaker. She makes direct contact with the audience," says Bradford. "It was spirit raising."
"What an imprint a professor makes on your life," says Siegel during her presentation to the Piedmont's faculty. "One told me I couldn't be a doctor."
The faculty assembles in its entirety once a semester. The faculty senate needed someone to speak. When President Ray Cleere recommended Siegel, it was a unanimous vote.
Siegel is on Piedmont's Board of Trustees and she says she is on 32 boards, including the Advisory Board of Southern Flair Magazine. She is currently the President Emeritus and former president at Kennesaw State University.
The speech Siegel gave at the faculty meeting was about teaching at the college level. Dr. Julie Palmour, faculty senate chair, says for her personally, the speech was an affirmation of her teaching.
"I think that no matter what comes out of her mouth, it is inspiring," says Palmour. "Her feedback is always positive. It was a much needed message for our community."
During the presentation, she also spoke about how technology is affecting teaching. She says the things technology cannot do for you include: human judgment, character, courage, patience and understanding.
"We have become a country of extraordinary technology," says Siegel. "Where is the personal side of this?"
After her speech, Dr. Curtis Bradford, professor of French, asked Siegel her thoughts on the challenge teachers face when students feel college is for job training.
Siegel responded with: "I don't think a college education is a ticket to a trade. Where would we be if we only knew our industry?"
Before this presentation, Bradford heard her speak at one of Piedmont's graduation ceremonies.
"She is a vivacious speaker. She makes direct contact with the audience," says Bradford. "It was spirit raising."
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