Comments on: Still Transformative After All These Years http://www.vanderbilt.edu/magazines/arts-and-science/2012-07/still-transformative-after-all-these-years/ a publication of Vanderbilt Peabody College Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:02:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0-RC1 By: Bob Pearson A&S '65 http://www.vanderbilt.edu/magazines/arts-and-science/2012-07/still-transformative-after-all-these-years/comment-page-1/#comment-5129 Bob Pearson A&S '65 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:02:15 +0000 http://www.vanderbilt.edu/magazines/arts-and-science/?p=4696#comment-5129 Professor Bell taught my first English Dept course at Vanderbilt. Having arrived from a small town, everything looked uphill to me. I still remember that he took the time with my first paper to go over it very carefully with me and point out what I could have done without making me think I had fallen short of his goal. I am amazed and impressed that 50 years later he is still contributing to the Vanderbilt community. Best wishes to you Dr. Bell. Professor Bell taught my first English Dept course at Vanderbilt. Having arrived from a small town, everything looked uphill to me. I still remember that he took the time with my first paper to go over it very carefully with me and point out what I could have done without making me think I had fallen short of his goal. I am amazed and impressed that 50 years later he is still contributing to the Vanderbilt community. Best wishes to you Dr. Bell.

]]> By: Stuart Ray http://www.vanderbilt.edu/magazines/arts-and-science/2012-07/still-transformative-after-all-these-years/comment-page-1/#comment-5128 Stuart Ray Thu, 25 Apr 2013 01:40:35 +0000 http://www.vanderbilt.edu/magazines/arts-and-science/?p=4696#comment-5128 As a senior majoring in molecular biology and hoping to get into medical school, some people thought I was nuts to sign up for Dr. Bell's class Modern American Novel (especially because I opted not to go pass/fail). I could not have made a more stimulating choice. Dr. Bell's discussions helped me see literature in a way that has followed me my whole life. The books he assigned have followed me, and I often reflect on them - Native Son, the Great Gatsby, Song of Solomon, Outer Dark, Second Coming, ... - some classics (cast in a new light), some prescient selections. The way that Dr. Bell structured that class (a book a week, quizzes and weekly essays) really taught me about motivation, time management, and the courage to express my own opinions (rather than figuring out what is "right"). I was never prouder of a B+. As a professor myself now, I lean on teachers like Dr. Bell as role models. He and John Compton were huge influences on this science major. The best that a liberal arts education has to offer. Thank you Dr. Bell!! As a senior majoring in molecular biology and hoping to get into medical school, some people thought I was nuts to sign up for Dr. Bell’s class Modern American Novel (especially because I opted not to go pass/fail). I could not have made a more stimulating choice.

Dr. Bell’s discussions helped me see literature in a way that has followed me my whole life. The books he assigned have followed me, and I often reflect on them – Native Son, the Great Gatsby, Song of Solomon, Outer Dark, Second Coming, … – some classics (cast in a new light), some prescient selections.

The way that Dr. Bell structured that class (a book a week, quizzes and weekly essays) really taught me about motivation, time management, and the courage to express my own opinions (rather than figuring out what is “right”). I was never prouder of a B+. As a professor myself now, I lean on teachers like Dr. Bell as role models.

He and John Compton were huge influences on this science major. The best that a liberal arts education has to offer.

Thank you Dr. Bell!!

]]> By: Arts and Science magazine http://www.vanderbilt.edu/magazines/arts-and-science/2012-07/still-transformative-after-all-these-years/comment-page-1/#comment-5034 Arts and Science magazine Tue, 17 Jul 2012 22:07:19 +0000 http://www.vanderbilt.edu/magazines/arts-and-science/?p=4696#comment-5034 We're glad you like it. Daniel Dubois, our chief photographer. says it is an "HDR" (high dynamic range) shot. He used a technique where a photographer takes the same photo three times but at different exposures. The first is correctly exposed, second too bright and the third too dark. He then used a third party piece of software called Photo Matix for the end result. We’re glad you like it. Daniel Dubois, our chief photographer. says it is an “HDR” (high dynamic range) shot. He used a technique where a photographer takes the same photo three times but at different exposures. The first is correctly exposed, second too bright and the third too dark. He then used a third party piece of software called Photo Matix for the end result.

]]> By: Emil Brignola III http://www.vanderbilt.edu/magazines/arts-and-science/2012-07/still-transformative-after-all-these-years/comment-page-1/#comment-5032 Emil Brignola III Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:41:10 +0000 http://www.vanderbilt.edu/magazines/arts-and-science/?p=4696#comment-5032 Beautiful cover. Is it "stylized"? Or, just wonderful sunlight? Emil Beautiful cover. Is it “stylized”? Or, just wonderful sunlight?
Emil

]]> By: Robert S. Carr, A&S'74 http://www.vanderbilt.edu/magazines/arts-and-science/2012-07/still-transformative-after-all-these-years/comment-page-1/#comment-5031 Robert S. Carr, A&S'74 Mon, 09 Jul 2012 15:29:55 +0000 http://www.vanderbilt.edu/magazines/arts-and-science/?p=4696#comment-5031 Although I took only one class from Dr. Bell (early 70s), he introduced me to the poetry of W. B. Yeats and T. S. Eliot, profoundly influencing my own development as a poet. He impressed me as a genteel and thoughtful man, and I am pleased to read that he continues to touch the lives of fortunate Vandy students. Thank you, Dr. Bell, for sharing your love for teaching with so many. Although I took only one class from Dr. Bell (early 70s), he introduced me to the poetry of W. B. Yeats and T. S. Eliot, profoundly influencing my own development as a poet. He impressed me as a genteel and thoughtful man, and I am pleased to read that he continues to touch the lives of fortunate Vandy students. Thank you, Dr. Bell, for sharing your love for teaching with so many.

]]> By: Wendy Lawrence Zerface http://www.vanderbilt.edu/magazines/arts-and-science/2012-07/still-transformative-after-all-these-years/comment-page-1/#comment-5030 Wendy Lawrence Zerface Fri, 06 Jul 2012 20:39:40 +0000 http://www.vanderbilt.edu/magazines/arts-and-science/?p=4696#comment-5030 I loved reading this article. It really took me back to my 1964-1968 days as a student with this wonderful teacher. I signed up for all the Dr. Bell classes I could, never cut, and sat totally involved in every discussion. He taught the human condition and how literature could open up an understanding that would last a lifetime. Wish I could relive those classes--- might even finish A Passage to India this time! I loved reading this article. It really took me back to my 1964-1968 days as a student with this wonderful teacher. I signed up for all the Dr. Bell classes I could, never cut, and sat totally involved in every discussion. He taught the human condition and how literature could open up an understanding that would last a lifetime. Wish I could relive those classes— might even finish A Passage to India this time!

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