- Name:
- Bob Demaree
- Dept:
- Professor and Director of Choral Activities
- Underkofler Excellence in Teaching Award, 2001
Teaching at UWP is a great experience because UWP provides our students with advantages usually associated with large schools, but in a small school setting. One of the misconceptions of "small" schools is that there are fewer opportunities for their students than there are at larger institutions. Look at our music students -- most of them participated both in choir and band in high school. At most schools, they wouldn't be able to continue doing both at college, but here at UWP, we encourage it! Many of our students both sing and play, and participate in the music theater program as well. This diversity is particularly important to our music majors -- the breadth of experience they receive truly prepares them for the rigors of the real world in a special way.
I attended a Big Ten school as an undergraduate, but if I had to do it all over again, I would have chosen a smaller institution just like UWP, where I would have been able to participate in a wide variety of activities. Although I was a decent violinist, I was never in an orchestra because orchestra existed for strings majors. I was in the chorus of our opera (twice), but I never participated in a musical. I wish I had attended a school like UWP as an undergrad -- I would have had more opportunities! The fact that all the courses taught in my area are taught by faculty is also a huge benefit to students.
We offer a solid education from faculty who have a worldview, a safe campus and opportunities to advance in a great number of ways.