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December 2006 Parents Progress Archives Planning to Visit?
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The transition to college brings cause for excitement, as the adventure of learning deepens and horizons expand. Students benefit from the knowledge of professors, and, here at Messiah, often come to know their educators personally. Meet a Messiah College professor whose character typifies the care for students encountered by most in their classes at Messiah. Professor Paul Nisly has taught English courses at the College for 35 years, earning respect from peers and love from pupils. “He brings so much of himself to his teaching,” says Elizabeth Laribee, a senior English major. His enthusiasm and expertise are evident to students and colleagues alike. He retires from fulltime teaching in December of 2006, and the Messiah College community will not be the same without him. Nisly’s educational journey and subsequent career have taken him in and out of several institutions. He grew up in Kansas, part of a Mennonite church—an involvement which has continued into his adult life—and soon became the first of his family to attend college and pursue graduate work. His academic record reads impressively: an associate of arts degree from Hesston College; a bachelor of arts from Eastern Mennonite College (now University); a master of arts, master of philosophy, and a doctor of philosophy from the University of Kansas. He arrived at Messiah College in 1972 and has dedicated himself to teaching, holding the position of department chair for over 20 years. Despite his considerable achievements in the academic arena, Nisly uses other standards as a measure of success. When asked what has made his work and life meaningful, he talks about his wife of many years, who recently passed away; his students, whose development and learning lie close to his heart; his service in the church as a Mennonite minister; and the value of family in our increasingly splintered world. “Perhaps most impressive to me,” says Peter Powers, current chair of the English department, “is the long list of alumni with whom Paul has had continuing relationships throughout the years.” This shows Nisly’s commitment “to each individual as a person, rather than seeing them as a student in a classroom.” In many ways, the values that Nisly embodies as a person and as an educator are common among his colleagues. He describes the community of educators at Messiah as markedly supportive— a rarity in academic circles. Rather than striving in competition, they share common goals and purposes: love of learning, concern for students, and a strong service orientation. Nisly has kept these values through his long, fruitful teaching career at the College. Looking back, he says his greatest prize has been seeing students succeed. “And by that I don’t mean necessarily making lots of money,” he clarifies. “I mean doing something meaningful and important to them— doing good work with their lives.” Like others of his colleagues, his faithful work as an educator has gone beyond merely instructing. He has had a profound impact on students and professors alike and will be greatly missed. |
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