Spring Break
Figures add up for UNH professor
Sabrina Cardin
Issue date: 3/6/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Getting lost in the mix isn't an option in Professor William Knowles's classes. During lectures his voice is continually yelling out names, last names and nicknames.
Since 1997 he has been teaching accounting and finance classes full time at UNH. Growing up in Dover, Knowles received his undergraduate degree at UNH, and despite teaching at the University of Idaho, he eventually returned to his roots. The state he dubs, "Cow Hampshire"
Knowles is a composite mixture of pure passion for teaching and a love for the Red Sox. During classes he continually references everything Red Sox.
"He makes a 100 person class feel like a 20 person class," said Senior James Lindvall.
Even in Iddles Hall, Knowles has mastered the art of engaging up to 100 or more students. He takes what can be a difficult and dry subject and engages the students in unconventional ways. Budweiser is utilized in the last equation of the day.
"I'll use what you students understand the best - booze," he said jokingly to the class.
Knowles also does something almost unheard of for a professor. He learns every student's name. He takes each student's picture and has him or her write something about him or herself on a note card.
Knowles said, "It helps keep attendance up by learning every student's name. Plus I know who I am saying hi to if I see a student on campus."
Each class, Knowles chooses either the right side of the class or the left to answer his questions for the day. Every student is prey, and you either embarrass yourself in front of a hall full of peers or study or answer his questions correctly.
"Him knowing my name kept me continually working hard in his class," said senior and former student, Mathew Cheever.
Years of teaching and a true love for what he does have led Knowles to mastering a large class. He personalizes the class for his benefit and also his students. Life stories are turned into comparisons during class.
Bounced checks he writes on the board. "You pay for other people bouncing checks, ya know," he said while looking across the hall and projecting his voice all the way up to the back row.
Knowles then proceeds into a story about "a hundred years ago" when he got married and someone bounced a $25 check, which was a wedding present.
From a young age he knew his passion in life was teaching, and it shows in every aspect of his class. Before teaching full time, Professor Knowles worked as a CPA from seven to seven and taught night class from eight to 10. Today he works full time and teaches on the weekends.
Knowles' passion for teaching feels tangible from a mere few minutes in his class.
"I absolutely love my job. I would do it even if they didn't pay me," said Knowles.
Since 1997 he has been teaching accounting and finance classes full time at UNH. Growing up in Dover, Knowles received his undergraduate degree at UNH, and despite teaching at the University of Idaho, he eventually returned to his roots. The state he dubs, "Cow Hampshire"
Knowles is a composite mixture of pure passion for teaching and a love for the Red Sox. During classes he continually references everything Red Sox.
"He makes a 100 person class feel like a 20 person class," said Senior James Lindvall.
Even in Iddles Hall, Knowles has mastered the art of engaging up to 100 or more students. He takes what can be a difficult and dry subject and engages the students in unconventional ways. Budweiser is utilized in the last equation of the day.
"I'll use what you students understand the best - booze," he said jokingly to the class.
Knowles also does something almost unheard of for a professor. He learns every student's name. He takes each student's picture and has him or her write something about him or herself on a note card.
Knowles said, "It helps keep attendance up by learning every student's name. Plus I know who I am saying hi to if I see a student on campus."
Each class, Knowles chooses either the right side of the class or the left to answer his questions for the day. Every student is prey, and you either embarrass yourself in front of a hall full of peers or study or answer his questions correctly.
"Him knowing my name kept me continually working hard in his class," said senior and former student, Mathew Cheever.
Years of teaching and a true love for what he does have led Knowles to mastering a large class. He personalizes the class for his benefit and also his students. Life stories are turned into comparisons during class.
Bounced checks he writes on the board. "You pay for other people bouncing checks, ya know," he said while looking across the hall and projecting his voice all the way up to the back row.
Knowles then proceeds into a story about "a hundred years ago" when he got married and someone bounced a $25 check, which was a wedding present.
From a young age he knew his passion in life was teaching, and it shows in every aspect of his class. Before teaching full time, Professor Knowles worked as a CPA from seven to seven and taught night class from eight to 10. Today he works full time and teaches on the weekends.
Knowles' passion for teaching feels tangible from a mere few minutes in his class.
"I absolutely love my job. I would do it even if they didn't pay me," said Knowles.
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