Focus EMU Online, Weekly Issue

Geherin's love of literature transports his students to other worlds

In many of Eastern Michigan University's English courses, students practice their interviewing skills in mock interviews with various University professors. David Geherin, professor of English language and literature, has often been the guinea pig for his colleagues' classes.

As an "interviewee," Geherin is asked all kinds of questions. However, there is one specific question that he is always ready to answer.

"The question I hear most is, 'Where do you think you'll be in five years?'" said Geherin. "My response is always the same. 'I'll be teaching at Eastern.'"

LEGACY OF LITERATURE: David Geherin, an EMU
professor of English language and literature,
encourages his students to engage imaginatively
when reading literature. Geherin recently was the
recipient of the Ronald W. Collins Distinguished
Faculty Teaching II Award. The award is given to
faculty members with five or more years of
teaching experience at EMU.

Geherin has kept true to his word. He has taught at EMU since 1969, many years before most current college students were even born. Thirty-six years after his start at EMU, he is the 2005 recipient of the Ronald W. Collins Distinguished Faculty Teaching II Award, given to faculty members with five or more years of teaching experience. The award includes a plaque and a $3,500 honorarium.

"I'm really honored to receive this award," said Geherin. "It's great that EMU gives awards like this. I'm glad that I have a job where I do what I would otherwise do, which is read, and get awarded for doing what I love."

Geherin started his college career at the University of Toronto, where he earned his bachelor's degree in English and philosophy. As a college senior, he still didn't know what he wanted to do for a career. He loved being a student and saw graduate school as a way to prolong his experience.

While working towards his master's degree in English at Purdue University, Geherin was able to teach courses as a graduate assistant. It was there that he began shaping his teaching style to what it is today.