Student Describes Teacher Duane Nickell '80 as an "Incredible Individual"
April 30, 2011
April 30, 2011, Greencastle, Ind. — "The first thing that comes to most people's minds when they hear physics is, 'Boring!' Then again, most people have never had Dr. Nickell as a teacher," Andy Bryant, a senior at Franklin Central High School, says of Duane S. Nickell. An Indianapolis Star story spotlights Nickell, a 1980 graduate of DePauw University.
"Calculus and physics aren't exactly happy-go-lucky subjects for most high school students, but they were among the most heralded by Franklin Central High School seniors at a recent academic honors program," writes Cindy Marshall. "Of the 38 seniors who dedicated their academic successes to particular teachers, a fourth of them credited two instructors of the difficult math and science subjects for helping to make them better students. The teachers of those classes are Joe Oblon and Duane Nickell."
"He
is an incredible individual who brings great enthusiasm to his class," Franklin Central senior Stephanie Rosa says of Dr. Nickell. "I
have been inspired by his energy and excitement toward his job. I
believe that a great teacher is someone who can educate students while
still being able to make the experience enjoyable. I have always had a
good time in his class and his physics demonstrations are legendary."
Adds Bryant, "As a junior, I thoroughly intended to suffer my way through physics class to pass with a 'B.' What actually happened was that I got really into the subject matter. Dr. Nickell managed, somehow, to make the class interesting and fun."
The newspaper notes, "Nickell, who has 26 years of teaching experience, has taught at Franklin Central for 11 years. Prior to that, he worked at Broad Ripple for 10 years and Decatur Central for five. He holds a bachelor's degree from DePauw University, a master's from the University of Kentucky and a doctorate from Indiana."
Access the article, "Coming from their students, it's high praise indeed," at IndyStar.com.
Learn more about Duane Nickell in this previous story.
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