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MCC Daily Tribune

TCC Gratitude Series - Day 8: Celebrating the MCC Biology Department

Happy Friday!

I would like to take a moment to recognize and share kudos to the MCC Biology Faculty. Thank you for all that you do - your students and colleagues truly appreciate your dedication and hard work!

Suzanne Long (Biology Department, Receiving Two Nominations)

  • Professor Long makes microbiology incredibly accessible. I’ve enjoyed every moment of learning about the class and know that it will prove to be essential in my future in pursuit of nursing school starting this May. She is brilliant at all things micro related and her ability to relate everything to a clinical setting is unrivaled. Thank you so much for all of the effort you put into making online learning and in person labs so accessible and straightforward!
  • Professor Long is an exceptional and passionate educator who made a lasting impact on my academic journey through her microbiology course. Her enthusiasm for the subject was evident in every lecture, bringing complex material to life in a way that was both engaging and easy to understand. She went above and beyond to ensure that every student felt supported, taking the time to explain difficult concepts and encouraging curiosity and critical thinking. Her dedication to teaching and genuine care for her students created a positive and inspiring learning environment. I’m truly grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from such a knowledgeable and motivating professor.

Charles Wuertzer (Biology Department, Receiving Four Nominations)

  • In the 2024 Fall semester, I took Anatomy and Physiology 1 with Dr. Wuertzer and immediately knew I would be seeking him out for A&P 2! The way he delivers the information for a very loaded course is so well done and thoughtfully curated that I couldn't imagine having taken the class with anybody else. He is very straightforward but also humorous at times, always willing to help you out where he can. Very grateful to have a professor like him throughout my time at MCC.
  • Dr. Wuertzer is always there for any questions or issues students may have. Anatomy and physiology is a very time consuming and difficult course, he’s extremely helpful and a very caring person.
  • Remarkably brilliant with an stoicism approach to teaching. Breaks complex analogy's into simple minute   reasoning and understanding. Very dedicate to his field and the students he teaches. Extremely fortunate  to have a professor of his caliber.  As the old saying goes "your only as good or wise as the teacher that taught you". I send my utmost regards in nominating DR. Charles A. Wuertzer for the many reasons above and the lives he has changed and transformed.
  • Dr. Wuertzer is a phenomenal professor. I have had the opportunity to take Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2 with him. I am also registered to take Microbiology over the summer with him. He is very passionate about teaching and is always there for you before/after class if you dont understand something. His classes are very well organized, and his expectations are clear. As an adult student, I find it wonderful that Dr. Wuertzer is so flexible with unexpected life outside of school. Because he teaches multiple sections, you are always welcome to sit in on a different lab or lecture if you miss class. He is more than a professor, he is a role model. I consider myself extremely lucky for being able to be his student.

Robert Leopard (Biology Department, Receiving Three Nominations)

  • He is an excellent instructor. He is patient, funny and very smart. He makes learning fun.
  • Professor Leopard has been a great influence on my education at MCC. He has a great passion for teaching and he clearly wants the best for each and every one of his students. He is very encouraging and open to be there for any assistance his students need to succeed.
  • Professor Leopard is a very patient and understanding teacher, he is hilarious and takes the time to help if you want help. I had to repeat Bio 144, and he was the best option for me to choose. I thank him for all he does and continues to do for the students a MCC.

Paul Emerick (Biology Department, Receiving Three Nominations)

  • I am so grateful I have been able to take classes with Professor Emerick twice now. He is a great teacher and I have enjoyed learning with him over the years. His stories are great, and I have found it helpful that we can tie our class materials to real world scenarios. Thank you Professor Emerick, for my past learning experience and also my present one!
  • I thank your for encouraging me not give up on my last semester with you and help me to pass so I can achieve my goals and letting me know it doesn’t matter how long it takes just aslong as I get it !
  • Professor Emerick shows true dedication and compassion to his students. He is always available to answer questions and give guidance. He is a true asset to Monroe Community College, and I am honored to have taken Anatomy and Physiology II with him.

James Murphy (Biology Department, Receiving Two Nominations)

  • Professor Murphy is a fun and engaging professor who always puts in the time to making sure that all subject material is understood, while maintaining a difficult and exciting learning environment. He doesn't just teach you the material that is on the syllabus but really helps you understand how it is used in the world and what is expected of someone working in the field adding much of his own knowledge and time in the field into the conversation. He is always happy to help with any class work in his class and others and answers questions in a way that is engaging and digestible for a undergraduate student.
  • Professor Murphy has made a real difference in our learning by creating a space that feels both challenging and genuinely supportive. He doesn’t just teach us to memorize; he gets us to actually think, connecting tough concepts to things that matter in the real world. But what really stands out is how much he cares about us as people. He sees when we’re overwhelmed, checks in, cracks jokes when we need them, and never makes us feel like we’re just another face in the room. He’s the kind of professor who sticks around after class to make sure you’re okay, not just that you got the material. Because of that, learning with him doesn’t feel like jumping through hoops, it feels like becoming more capable, more confident, and more ourselves. He makes science feel achievable—like something we can actually be a part of—not just a far-off dream reserved for prodigies or textbooks.

Erin Strobl (Biology Department, TCC Faculty Lead)

Professor Strobl advocates for her students as a whole, encouraging approaches to teaching that recognize the pressure of scholarship and extend a healthy amount of grace toward students experiencing challenges, including the kinds of routine challenges we all face (for example, needing an occasional extension on a deadline for personal reasons). She is commonly recognized by students as warm and approachable, and teaches in an engaging and memorable way. Students know that she cares about them and wants them to succeed from her presence in the classroom and her active involvement in several initiatives dedicated to supporting and recognizing hard-working students.

Mike Anthony (Biology Department)

Mike Anthony is an adjunct in our biology department for many years now.  Mike goes above and beyond to help students.  He has purchased textbooks for students, tutored students unofficially, attended advisement sessions with students, and keeps in contact with students he has mentored after they leave MCC and transfer to another school.  He is a fabulous advocate for students.  Mike is an overall great human and deserves recognition.  His kindness and dedication to his students does not go unnoticed.  Thank you, Mike, for being you! We value you greatly in the biology department!!

Richard Stevens  (Biology Department)

Professor Stevens is the best biology teacher because he makes complex concepts easy to understand, brings lessons to life with real-world examples, and inspires a true passion for science in every student he teaches. He truly is the best of the best and jsut an incredible human overall.

Tori Matthews (Biology Department)

Dr. Matthews is one of the best professors I’ve come across in my academic career, and that speaks volumes since I have obtained my bachelors and masters degrees and still never came across someone quite like Dr. Matthews. He is authentic, funny, genuine and a great educator. He cares about his students and wants to see them all succeed. Moreover, he is an amazing representation for people of color in the STEM field where people of color are often underrepresented. I know he will continue to touch and impact many peoples lives because he has truly inspire me to continue my pursuit into the healthcare field.

Jennifer Hill (Biology Department)

What makes Dr.Hill remarkable is her constant willingness to help and her incredible patience when repeating directions until every student feels confident. Her supportive attitude and genuine care made a huge difference in my learning experience. She never made me feel ashamed for asking questions and always encouraged me to keep going, even when the material felt overwhelming. Because of her belief in me, I truly believed I could actually become a nurse.

Jennifer Hill & Paul Emerick (Biology Department)

They have made preparing for nursing feel less intimidating. Both of them provide extra help whenever you ask and do everything they can to ensure you’re successful while in their course.

Melis Kural
Teaching & Creativity Center
05/23/2025