Currently, a faculty member in Chemistry at Ithaca College! (Look at my faculty page)
I received my Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Following that, I taught at University of Wisconsin-Baraboo and Elizabethtown College, before returning to Ithaca College.
Mike Haaf, Chemistry '94
The close interaction with professors had the greatest impact... I remember all of them, and was inspired to pursue teaching as a result of these interactions.
Current Position and Path
What features of your education at IC helped you the most?
The close interaction with professors had the greatest impact. Professor Vogel encouraged me to consider chemistry as a major and had a talent for challenging his students while simultaneously providing support to achieve their goals. Professor Bergmark taught me how to approach research problems, and gave me my first independent project. I had other teachers outside of the chemistry department that helped to underscore the great impact teachers can have on their student's lives. I remember all of them, and was inspired to pursue teaching as a result of these interactions.
What experiences at IC were important to you?
Apart from my academic experiences, I met some wonderful friends, one of whom agreed to marry me a few years after we graduated. One of my fondest memories in college was playing keyboard in a 13-piece band and playing out at local bars and recording a demo in NYC.