Tartaroglu, Semih: (2015 Tenure and Promotion to Associate Professor, Finance, Real Estate & Decision Sciences)
"I have read an earlier edition of this book as an engineer who started a career in finance many years ago. This book used to be a must read book for Wall-Street type career and investing, and I think it became a classic. I did not only learn from this book, but it also inspired me to pursue a graduate study in finance.”
Tirk, Suzanne: (2010 Tenure and Promotion to Associate Professor, School of Music)
A Soprano on Her Head: Right-Side-Up Reflections on Life and Other Performances by Eloise Ristad
I selected this book because it has never failed to provide guidance and encouragement for me as both a performer and a teacher. I first read the book at a critical point in my career when I was questioning whether I wanted to continue with music. The book made a tremendous impact on me at that time (as it still does!) and I credit it with inspiring me to be the teacher and musician that I am today.
Tran, Anh: (2008 Tenure and Promotion to Associate Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction)
"Years ago, I came across a book titled Bilingual and ESL Classrooms, by Ovando, Combs and Collier, published in 1998. The subtitle is self-explanatory: Teaching in Multicultural Contexts. I found the teaching approach quite unique: while ESL and Multicultural Education were normally treated in separate books, language and culture were integrated in the instructional process in the book. More important than this was the message the authors conveyed throughout the book. Not only did they believe that the U.S. would eventually benefit from its racial and linguistic groups, but they hoped that the school system would help maintain the rich cultural heritages that the students brought to school. However, Ovando’s personal story remains the most important reason why I still remember the book, and in some way, helped push me to the educational area where I’m currently involved in. An immigrant from Nicaragua, 14-year-old Carlos Ovando repeated sixth grade due to his ignorance of English, was paddled for speaking Spanish to another student, and was given colored-blind treatment by his teachers. Later on in high school, he met a culturally and linguistically sensitive teacher who encouraged him to maintain and improve his Spanish. From this turning point in his life, he majored in Spanish in college, became a high-school teacher, and later on received his Ph.D. in C&I from Indiana University. An immigrant to the U.S. many years ago, I asked myself: Can I do the same? Now a C&I faculty member and engaged in ESL and Multicultural Education, I feel the Nicaraguan youngster was part of the vision of how my life and work life would turn out to be.”
Unruh, Susan: (2016 Tenure and Promotion to Associate Professor, Counseling, Educational Leadership, Educational & School Psychology)
"My 98-year old father, Waldo Dick, fled persecution and war in Russia in 1921 with his family; he was 4-years old at the time. He and my mother gave me my Mennonite values and beliefs. The Martyr’s Mirror, published first in 1660 in Holland, is classic Mennonite literature. It recounts the stories of our Anabaptist forebears who believed in pacifism and love as the core teachings of Christianity. My choice of this book is in memory of my parents, my Mennonite community, and people of all religions who have peace and love at their core.”
Vanderburgh, William L.: (2007 Tenure and Promotion to Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy)
An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding by David Hume
"I selected this book because reading Hume was a key moment in my education. The precision and elegance of his writing are a joy to behold. Moreover, his style of philosophizing shaped my own view of the correct topics, approach and attitude in my field. Plus, he is just right about so many things!”
VanRavenhorst-Bell, Heidi: (2022 Tenure and Promotion to Associate Professor, Human Performance Studies)
The Courage to Teach by Parker J. Palmer
“I selected this book because it begins with an invitation to know one’s self. To fully understand that Great Thing known to inspire and intrigue a deeper curiosity. To embrace one’s true passion in hopes of inspiring others. To silence the wall(s) one creates through known as well as unintentional biases. Only then, is one able to make a real connection with others.”
Walker, Lizzy: (2019 Tenure and Promotion to Associate Professor, University Libraries)
I selected this book because I found this as I was nearing the end of my MLS program. It reinforced my view that horror has academic value and has helped drive a branch of my research interests. It also helped me unpack why I have a lifelong devotion to this genre.
Walker, Mary: (2013 Tenure and Promotion to Associate Professor, University Libraries)
"The book was written in the early nineties but is still relevant today. The book describes the concept of ‘Living Democracy’ and includes examples of how this idea is being implemented nationwide. It details how an ordinary individual can affect change in their "public” world – work, community, etc. If a group of individuals unites then the impact can be even greater. Lappe and Du Bois point out that personal growth and social change are intertwined; as an individual develops their skills and becomes increasingly involved, the greater the difference they can make.
"This work reminded me that I have an impact on every person I meet. Reading the stories of the people profiled in the book gave me inspiration to be more of a participant in the world around me, especially at work. I felt that my voice counted and that I could not expect my ideas to be represented if I did not speak up. It also encouraged me to step outside my introverted comfort zone and engage in activities that I cared about.”
Walsh, Mark: (2016 Tenure and Promotion to Associate Professor, Mathematics, Statistics & Physics)
A People's History of the World by Chris Harman
"It captures my love of learning, gives perspective to the achievements and failures of our species, and reflects a voice not often represented in history.”
Waters, Mary: (2014 Promotion, Department of English)
"I selected this book because Guest’s thinking about the public role of women during the later eighteenth century in England helped me to articulate my own understanding of the private-public divide that had dominated thinking about women’s roles up to that time.”
Waters, Mary: (2008 Tenure and Promotion to Associate Professor, Department of English)
Romantics, Rebels and Reactionaries by Marilyn Butler
Watkins, John: (2008 Tenure and Promotion to Associate Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering)
Multivariable Feedback Control: Analysis and Design by Siguard Skogestad and Ian Poslethwaite
"It opened up a world of robust control to myself and my students.”
Wilks, Kerry: (2018 Promotion, Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures)
The Return of Astraea: an Astral-Imperial Myth in Calderón by Frederick A. de Armas
"I selected this book because this book not only ‘introduced’ me to the person who would become my mentor and a central figure in my career, but also introduced me to what would become the basis of my theoretical approach to the comedia.”
Wilks, Kerry: (2010 Tenure and Promotion to Associate Professor, Modern and Classical Languages and Literature)
The Return of Astraea: an Astral-Imperial Myth in Calderón by Frederick A. de Armas
I selected this book because it is highly influential for scholars in my field. However, Fred is also my mentor, and his book has served as a cornerstone and model for my research endeavors to date.
Williams, Rhonda: (2019 Promotion, Nursing)
How Al-Anon Works for Families & Friends of Alcoholics by Al-Anon Family Groups
I selected this book because briefly, this book guided me through a self-discovery process that was desperately needed about 10 years ago. Having not read this book, I would not be where I am today.
Williams, Ginger: (2012 Tenure and Promotion to Associate Professor, University Libraries)
The Best of James H. Schmitz by James H. Schmitz
"As a teenager, before personal computers were invented, I was fascinated by the Telzey Amberdon stories, where a bright teenager used a pocket communicator for library research while vacationing on distant planets. I wanted to be one of the people who made library research easier.”
Wilson, Eric: (2021 Promotion to Professor, Elliott School of Communication)
The Undaunted Courage and Ultimate Sacrifice of Navy SEAL Team SIX Operator Adam Brown by Eric Blehm
"I selected this book because quite simply, this is one of the best-written, most inspiring books I've ever read. It's a biography of a Navy SEAL Team Six member who was killed in Afghanistan, written by a journalist who has covered special operations extensively. The writing and storytelling are powerful, gripping and moving as Blehm depicts the life, Christian faith and legacy of elite special operator Adam Brown. I stumbled upon this book several years ago while on a SEAL Team Six reading rabbit trail, and have since recommended it to many students, colleagues and friends for its incredible story and outstanding journalistic writing style. It is one of the few books that I can truly say has had a lasting impact on my life."
Wine, Thomas: (2019 Professor Incentive Review, Music)
Way Over in Beulah Lan': Understanding and Performing the Negro Spiritual by Andre Thomas
I selected this book because Andre Thomas was my mentor when completing my Ph.D. at Florida State University. His passion for choral music was matched by his personal interest in every student. This book shares stories of Andre’s youth growing up in Wichita, KS. Many of the anecdotes and analysis of African-American Spirituals included in the book I had the opportunity to experience first-hand before they ever went into print. Because of Dr. Thomas, I had the occasion to read manuscripts of Moses Hogan Spiritual arrangements before they were published. Andre’s dedication to authentic performance practice of every style of music has shaped my vision for programming. His tenacity in shaping informed performances of Spirituals has led many of his former students to pick up the mantle and pass meaningful experiences to the next generation of singers and conductors.
Wolf, Christian: (2007 Tenure and Promotion to Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics and Statistics)
Proofs from The Book by Martin Aigner, Günter M. Ziegler
"I selected this book because it inspired me to search for absolute truth and beauty in mathematics. It is also a convincing argument that math as the language of the universe is the basis for everything.”
Woods, Nikki Keene: (2017 Tenure and Promotion to Associate Professor, Public Health Sciences)
Science and Human Behavior by B.F. Skinner
"I was trained as both a public health scientist and a behaviorist. Selecting only one book was a difficult decision. There are several books that have shaped my worldview and influenced my life and career. After much reflection, I had to select Science and Human Behavior over several other important public health books. This book was part of my doctoral studies and one of my first experiences with the examination of human behavior at the most basic level. It was also given to me by my mentor, Dr. Stephen Fawcett – one of the first public health behaviorists and true humanitarian. Skinner’s work had a substantial impact on psychology and even public health. It taught me to examine the world using behavioral contingencies and strengthened my application of public health theories. This book was the beginning of a challenging road for me, which included living in two different disciplines. I am grateful for the challenges as they have become strengths over the years. So if you are not a behaviorist or a psychologist, I strongly recommend this book as another view point that could challenge your worldview and strengthen your skills.”
Xu, Jingjun David: (2016 Tenure and Promotion to Associate Professor, Finance, Real Estate & Decision Sciences)
Li Tianming’s Art of Reasoning by Ziyou Rong
"It explains the art of reasoning well and demonstrates how to think clearly about issues that we encounter every day. The book also equips me with the powerful analytic techniques to perform scholarly research. The author Dr. Li Tian Ming (Ph.D from the University of Chicago) is a philosopher, poet and writer from Hong Kong. Another reason that I recommend this book is that students reading this book will have no chance wondering about the importance of logic.”
Yihun, Yimesker: (2021 Tenure and Promotion to Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering)
The Sign and the Seal: the Quest for the Lost Ark of the Covenant by Graham Hancock
"I selected this book because the patience, determination, and the challenges that the author had to go through to find the truth about the arc of the covenant and its whereabouts was a great inspiration; though some of his findings are in disagreement with others, I still find it motivational to go up and down and be persistent to accomplish a set goal.
Zellers, Laura: (2019 Promotion, Accounting)
Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom
I selected this book because it is based on a very simple premise. We all have the opportunity to make a difference in this world simply by listening. As educators we have a unique opportunity to interact with a variety of students and we just might be the outlet that they need to discover their path in life or to just be a reliable person who is actively present in their world. All too often we listen with the intent to reply. As an educator I do a lot of lecturing. And while lecturing in an academic sense is important, this book reminds me that we all should attempt to actively listen and learn from each other.
