MCC Daily Tribune

TCC: Gratitude Series Fall 2025: Day 9 (From Students to MCC Faculty)

Today, we’re excited to share the final round of kudos from our amazing students to faculty across disciplines!

Your dedication makes a tremendous difference in our students’ lives—helping them learn, grow, and succeed. Our students are incredible, and many have reached out to me via email to express their appreciation for all that you do.

I know this time of year can feel exhausting, but please remember: your work has a lasting impact, and every department plays a significant role in our students’ success. So, as you take a sip of coffee, enjoy these heartfelt kudos.

They’re not in any particular order—just a celebration of excellence across departments. Thank you for everything you do!

Lydia Tien (Chemistry and Geosciences)

I am going into this semester I knew it was going to be hard just because of the sheer number of classes and other things going on with sports. For me one of the main things that I was not looking forward to was chemistry. I genuinely despised the thought of chemistry and just the overall way it is. The point is for someone like me who is an engineering major I already had a line of classes that I knew would not be very manageable along with playing a sport and for chem 2 to be part of that mix was just an extra "good luck" sarcastically obviously. But Professor Tien explains the material in a way that keeps you engaged and makes you feel like you're grasping the topic. If we are going over something particularly hard in class, she will make sure we are all on the same page in before we move on. Apart from the classroom aspect she genuinely makes me happy about chemistry and just hearing her laugh brightens up my many exhausting days. Now that's not to say I always ace all of the material, but she makes chemistry a lot more fun for my classmates and I as we have created a special bond between our class.

Ryan Clements (Chemistry and Geosciences)

I am so grateful for professor Clements I had no idea how writing process goes, and by me being a beginner she has influenced me every step of the way to be a better writer and listener.

John Banker (Chemistry and Geosciences)

Creates an amazing environment to learn it, very fun and comforting. Has transitioned me from High school to college nicely and made everything less scary.

Bruce Link (Computer Science Department)

I appreciate Professor Link for his humor, knowledge, and creativity that he pours into his lectures and class work. He is very helpful, humble, and respectful; even if he is an occasional chop buster. I am thankful to have learned so much from him over the past year. I had a great time learning about digital computer organization and for the love and passion of computers, for me. He helped me put together the pieces of this course in a way that made me feel like I am on the right path in computer parts and pieces. I love the lecture style and hands on with labs and good learning approaches. I would recommend CSC 206 and professor link in the future and plan on taking a course with him next semester.
Professor Link is undoubtedly among the most knowledgeable and committed professors at MCC. His mastery of the field of Computer Science and his dedication to his students' success is second to none. What impresses me the most about Professor Link is that he is always willing to take the time to help us with our labs and projects and routinely extends his availability for doing so outside of our typical lab times.
My professor cared enough to make sure every one of the students in his class understands the subject matter. He took time out of his day off to help me personally after a rough 2 weeks (personal issues). Made his class fun, but also crammed more knowledge in my head that I thought possible. Taught us vital work communication and collaboration skills. The best class I have taken at MCC.
Professor Link has been incredibly supportive and dedicated throughout the semester. His patience, clarity, and willingness to help, both inside and outside the lab, made all the difference in such a challenging course. He truly cares about his students understanding and success, and he consistently went above and beyond to ensure we felt confident and capable. He would even take time out of his day (and on his days off) to answer questions, clarify material, and make sure we had the guidance we needed to succeed. His commitment is rare, and it shows in everything he does. I deeply appreciate everything he has done to help me grow academically and personally in this class. He is by far the best professor I have ever had, and if all professors were like him, students would be in very good hands. His dedication, kindness, and genuine passion for teaching have made a lasting impact on me, and I am truly grateful for his unwavering support.
Professor Link goes above and beyond the call of duty as a professor to make sure students understand the information being presented during class. All his lecture powerpoint slides and videos are highly professional and explains the information being presented very effectively for students to easily understand.
Professor Link's classes are always very instructive and he is always willing to clarify questions on confusing topics that I might have. He also always takes time to meet with each student if they need a little help on labs or problems.
Professor Link has been really helpful for me in the two classes I have taken this semester(CSC202 and CPT210) and the class I have taken in the past (CSC206). His help has really been remarkable with oscilloscopes and working with registers. I personally struggle with these things but he has always had my back while still giving me room to learn about them for myself. His online exams and online coursework have also been remarkable to me as I have never experienced something like it but it has really helped me to prepare for the college I plan to transfer to.
Professor Link supported us a lot in our CSC 202 project, helping us build I2C functions that can communicate with the chip that we wished to use for the project. He spent days working on it which ended up helping us tremendously in our project. Thank you Professor Link!
He helped me through the semester by actually making Digital Computer Organization bit sized understandable, he has always given me extra support where needed, he has helped build my confidence working with computer architecture, Boolean logic, and so many more that in one word I say am grateful to have had him as my professor in such a challenging class.

Candy Shaffer (Information & Computer Technologies Department)

Prof. Shaffer has been an excellent teacher and department head all semester. She always made time for me and my fellow students, and kept the very dry learning material entertaining!

Lautenslager Stacey (Information & Computer Technologies Department)

She always gave us simple instructions for how to do things on excel, and she always allowed us to submit assignments for multiple times before the due dates which helps to maintain better grades.

Peter Francione (Criminal Justice)

Professor Francione,

Your teaching style has made learning constitutional law fun and I genuinely enjoy your class. You’re one of the best professors I’ve had and I appreciate how much easier you make complex things easy to understand!"

Chef Angela Douglas Chef Rebecca Griffin and Andrea Wolf (Hospitality)

Chef Douglas is an amazing professor never had a bad day with chef she’s understanding and a good teacher , Chef Griffin helped me learn a lot in cost control also in her back of the house class same with her she’s nice and understanding and will teach you what you don’t know and Andrea in the office is always helpful and nice never has an attitude and helps everyone.

Benjamin Schermerhorn (Engineering Science and Physics), Receiving Three Kudos

Dr. Ben has been incredibly helpful and understanding. He has provided a safe learning environment for students. He is incredibly smart and talented at teaching others.
Dr. Ben - One of the most caring, intelligent, respectful professors I have ever met. They are always there when a student needs them. They are very knowledgeable about all of the classes that MCC offers, not even just in the engineering department. They are one of the main reasons why I decided to stay at MCC and continue my engineering degree, if it wasn't for Dr. Bens support, I do not know where I would be in my education track, definitely not as far as I am now. Thank you, Dr. Ben!
Dr. Ben has been an amazing professor, being flexible with deadlines when I suffered from a car crash in the previous semester. He is also really motivating as a professor and as our advisor for the ELC. Thank you, Dr. Ben!

Michael Wagner (Math)

Professor Wagner is very helpful. He is able to explain multiple different topics and theories in many different ways, allowing any student to grasp said topic or theory. He takes his time and really dives into the meaning of what we're talking about and why it might be important.

Michael Pomerantz (Engineering Technologies)

Professor Pomerantz is an excellent teacher. He thoroughly explains each step of the process, emphasizing why each step is important and how to avoid common mistakes.

His class is very hands on and engaging. He encourages questions and always provides in depth explanations. As a result, everyone in class is comfortable asking lots of questions. I have learned so much from his class. I’m grateful to have him as a professor.

Kristen Killion (Health and PE), Receiving Two Kudos

Thank you, professor Killion, without this class and your knowledge I wouldn’t have been able to tell the levels of abuse that I was going through. The behavior-change assignment helps me a lot too, I use to be a chronic marijuana- substance abuser for over 15 years and I have never thought that I would be able to slow down to smoking 1-2 max a day. Every question that was asked from me or my peers she knew how to answer it and the space felt so comfortable to be able to voice how you feel. For that I thank you professor Killion. Like they say you never really know what a person is going through, she treated everyone including myself with respect and again thank you.
Kristen is a true health teacher with compassion and understanding. Graceful with students and is warm and easy to talk to while students advocate for themselves.

Dale Pearce (Health and PE), First Year Faculty

Dr. Pearce is well experienced in life and has a true appreciation for all different types of walks of life. It’s amazing to see professors like this engaged with their students and not only eager to teach, but eager to continue learning from his own students.

Jean Boehm (Health and PE)

This has been my absolute favorite class! Prof. B is such sweet lady who cares for her students and she try’s to get to know everyone and build relationships. She makes class fun and wants everyone to be engaged.

Anita Davis (Health and Wellness)

I've been attending her yoga sessions almost weekly since they started. She is always so kind and welcoming and it is clear she cares very much for the students here.

Jenny Petersen (Nursing Department)

Jenny is awesome and well experienced in her job and knowledgeable of the college scheduling. Jenny has helped me immensely and has gone above and beyond to assist me in registering for classes that best fit the pathway program I’m in.

Melis Kural
Teaching & Creativity Center
12/18/2025