Goldenberg himself plays as many as 30 concerts a year. Becoming a Presidential Teaching Professor is humbling, he said. I have to serve NIU at the very highest level. I feel obliged to the students and my colleagues here and to music, which I love so much. Goldenberg teaches through demonstration, telling stories and putting words to music.
Students learn the history behind a composition, music theory and even finger exercises.
His exceptional patience, sense of humor and constantly generous support made all my accomplishments at NIU possible. Mori, a native of Japan, also appreciates Goldenberg's embrace of people of different races, ethnicities, genders, abilities and sexual orientations. Jim Thomas , a 21-year sociology professor at NIU, was surprised to learn he was named a Presidential Teaching Professor. We see our own flaws and don't meet our own standards. His students see no flaws, however.