Henry B. Adams once said, "A teacher effects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops."
One Allegheny College alumnus is ensuring that the teacher who affected him most continues to influence students today and for eternity. Harry W. Shepard and his wife Patricia Peck Shepard recently donated $100,000 to the College to establish the Professor Louis Jefferson Long Student-Faculty Research Fund, an endowed fund to provide support for collaborative student-faculty research at Allegheny College.
Dr. Jeff Long taught as a professor of economics at Allegheny from 1935 through 1951, also serving as treasurer and business manager of the College during his teaching career. While vacationing at Conneaut Lake during two summers in the late 1930s, young Harry Shepard enrolled in a few liberal arts courses taught by Professor Long.
Though he had studied engineering at Carnegie Tech for two years, Harry later enrolled in Allegheny's economics department and embarked upon a new experience with this street-smart teacher and mentor. Under Dr. Long's tutelage, completed a senior comprehensive project on the then-Pittsburgh Steel Company.
"Jeff Long was able to translate advanced economic theories into practice and make interesting such dull courses as taxation, corporate finance and cost accounting - all the while being a helpful and supportive educator and colleague," remembers Harry. "And that was one of the best qualities of my Allegheny experience - the close and informal relationships with faculty, even with the professors whose classes I didn't take."
Under Dr. Long's tutelage, Harry graduated in 1942, and thereafter spent four years in the Army. He was sent to New York University to study advanced mathematical theories and the radiation and propagation of radio waves. Until separation from service, he was an engineering officer of a Signal Equipment Detachment. Throughout these accomplishments and beyond, the effect of his close interaction with Dr. Long would last a lifetime.
"I didn't realize as a student just how wonderful of a teacher he was," Shepard admits. "At the time, I enjoyed working with him, but it wasn't until later in my life that I realized what an important influence he was. So much of what I have accomplished I attribute to his tutelage."
Now retired, Harry and his wife Patricia live in Bonita Springs, Fla.
The Student-Faculty Research Fund provides support for a wide range of research activity - from senior comprehensive projects, purchase of equipment for research, travel to symposia and conferences to present papers or study-tours, which are three-week courses taught by Allegheny faculty around the world.
Yet beyond the academic opportunities provided by the Student-Faculty Research Fund is a recognition of one of the truly significant hallmarks of the Allegheny College experience. The Shepard's generosity reminds us all that college professors are often more than our teachers - they are our mentors, our supporters and our friends.
Harry Shepard isn't the only student who has been influenced by a great Allegheny teacher:
Quotes on collaborative research and learning at Allegheny:
"Collaborating with faculty is a way in which students can experience sophisticated research." - Margaret Nelson, assistant professor of biology.
"Allegheny professors are more than just professors - they are pure motivation." - Laura Gutierras '02
"Because of Allegheny's small size, students receive valuable individualized attention." - Christine Peoples '02
"We often learn together outside of the classroom environment. When the faculty member learns with the student, they develop a fruitful experience together." - Alec Chien, professor of music
"Students are on a personal level with the faculty. There is a sense of collaboration, of working together." - Melissa McCrimmon '03
"The personal relationships students have with faculty is one of Allegheny's strongest points." - Melissa Spas '03
Student-Faculty Research Makes a Mark
Many liberal arts colleges claim that close student-faculty interaction results in a more personalized - even better - education. Now Allegheny has the proof. In a recent ground-breaking study that uses student engagement to define excellence, Allegheny has once again received superior marks. The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) reported that the College is among the top 10 percent of all survey participants for its close student-faculty interaction. In fact, Allegheny's seniors ranked the College in the top three percent in this category.
That's no surprise to current students, for whom various opportunities exist to cooperate with faculty in research and learning. From mentoring and advising on campus to collaborative research in Alaska or Colorado, face-to-face student and faculty relationships are an integral part of the Allegheny experience. The College has long recognized the educational benefits for students who work closely with faculty experts: communication skills, creative problem-solving, confidence, self-discipline and project management skills.
