Viewing page 8 of 20

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

6A THE RANGER   FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1978

Professor calls Piper nomination 'pat on the back'
By Amy Estess

Being nominated for the Piper Professor award is the pat on the back teachers need every once in a while, one of the three nominees from this campus said.

Mary Zang, foreign languages professor, was selected along with Leonard Murphy, history professor, and Mel Casas, art department chairman.

Murphy said teaching is its own reward.

"I love teaching; it is stimulating and satisfying," Murphy said.

Murphy has been teaching here 13 years. Before that he taught five years in Abilene and at a high school in Alabama for three years. 

Murphy did his undergraduate work at the University of Alabama. He did his graduate work at the University of the South and received his master's from Southern Methodist University.

"One of the highlights of my career has been teaching the Afro-American history class. It's been very educational. It's hard for a white person to have any inkling of what it's like to be black in America. My students have helped me understand," he said.

Murphy believes it is important to meet the needs of the students. 

"I feel like a lot of things I do are kind of different. I've always tried to find ways to meet the needs of students who really thrive on history. They need to be challenged."

"I required different amounts of work from different students. My classes offer variety and opportunity," he said.

Murphy enjoys working in the University Presbyterian Church where he is an elder. He was also president of the board of the San Antonio Urban Council.

Murphy believes concern is one of the most important elements of a good teacher. 

"It's really important to have a real concern for your students. I think I really do, and no method would be effective without that. So much depends on motivation and self-esteem.

Casas has taught here for 18 years. Before that, he taught at a high school in El Paso.

"Teachers don't teach subject matter; they teach fellow human beings," he said.

Casas received his bachelor of arts from Texas Western College in El Paso and his master's at the University of the Americas in Mexico City.

"Teaching is a way of life and its fiduciary nature permits the sharing of knowledge without losing a sense of innocence," he said.

Casas was awarded the certificate of appreciation for the "Distinguished Service in the Field of Art" from the "Committee of Citizens Dedicated to Excellence in College Education."

Casas enjoys painting in his spare time and has been involved in numerous art exhibits, committees and magazines.

"There are other ways, but I enjoy my living teaching," he said.

"I strongly believe in the heuristic method of teaching. I think that all of us hope that we adapt our education to each individual," he added.

Casas believes in making his students aware of their individuality.

"A good teacher is a person who is able to awaken self-interest in a student. It goes back to the old cliche that if you don't love yourself you really can't love anyone else," he said.

Mary Zang has been teaching here for 14 years. She teachers the French 612A and 612B and conversational French classes.

Zang did her undergraduate work at Ohio Dominican College in Ohio. She then received a Fulbright Grant and spent a month at the Sorbonne in Paris and a year at the University of Rennes in France. She received her masters in French at Ohio State University.

"I wouldn't know how to do anything else. It's work, but worthwhile work," she said.

Zang likes to teach about the culture of France in her classes - such as art, music, and literature.

"In a language you have to use every technique. I do a great deal of borrowing from television," she added.

"It's a natural response to bring the students and the subject matter together. A good teacher must be the catalyst," Zang continued.

Zang says she still hears from many of her former students.

"It makes me feel good when a former student goes on to do well in French or just goes on to do well in anything," she added.

[[image - photograph]]
Mary Zang

[[image - photograph]]
Mel Casas

[[image - photograph]]
Leonard Murphy