All of them had stories to tell about favorite faculty members-teachers who had challenged their preconceptions, extended their horizons, stretched their capabilities. They told me about teachers who not only taught them well, but influenced the directions of their lives.
Many graduates credit their career decisions to a faculty member.
I know that one reason I am a mathematician is because years ago at Hanover College, professor John Yarnelle made mathematics such an engaging area of study for me and gave me no choice except to go to graduate school. Each of us remembers our alma mater in terms of its faculty. The faculty is the university. Faculty members do much more on behalf of students than simply meet their scheduled classes. They structure and direct group projects.