It's Like You're on a Ladder
This story originally appeared in Archways Magazine's Fall 2016 issue.
By Amanda Broulik
Professor Emeritus of Biology Glen Dappen remembers the day he learned an anonymous donor had established an endowed scholarship in his name. “I was dumbfounded and speechless,” he said.
“I realized in that moment that my life as a teacher had reached students in a meaningful way, and now they’ve gone on to do bigger things.” He described his 47 years at NWU this way. “It’s like you’re on a ladder. You’ve got your hand out and you’re pulling students up, but if you also push them, then they can climb even higher.”
His alumni have appreciated the boost. “Dr. Dappen was one of the kindest and most enthusiastic professors I can remember,” his fund’s anonymous donor said. “It was obvious from the energy he brings to the Biology Department that he loves his work and he loves mentoring his students. We all owe our success to not only our own hard work, but also to the dedicated mentors who have helped us along the way.”
The scholarship may wear Dappen’s name, but a flattered Dappen said its true purpose is all about NWU students. “I realize, as that anonymous donor must have, that scholarships like this give deserving students the opportunity to fulfill their dreams and goals. And that’s one of the things I always tell my students—never give up on your dreams.”
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Dappen rummages through his bookshelf and drops a hefty volume onto his desk with a satisfied smile. It’s the Mayo Clinic cardiology textbook.
“Wait till you hear this—it’s just amazing,” he proclaims. “I saw a student of mine recently and she said, ‘Glen, I have a present for you.’ She handed me this, and, can you believe it, she’s the coeditor! Well, that just about knocked my socks off.”
The alumna is Dr. Margaret “Peg” Lloyd (’84), a cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic who has been practicing for more than 20 years. Her Nebraska Wesleyan experience included the chance to travel to Cambridge University with Dappen to study parasitology.
“We were just Nebraska kids, and there we were, at Cambridge working with the top parasitologists in the world. Today it’s pretty common for students to have those kinds of international opportunities, but back then it wasn’t. It was Dappen who made that happen,” she said.
“He is unabashedly in love with what he teaches,” she said. “Even if you don’t like bugs and worms, you will. People with no interest in parasitology would take it just to take a class with him.”
Lloyd recently joined NWU’s Doctors for Science, a group of doctors and scientists helping NWU fund its new science center. The group, which includes Dappen, has given nearly $1.5 million for the project.
“What makes NWU special,” Lloyd said, “are those student-faculty relationships. But, in science, you also need facilities; you need equipment for those hands-on experiences. It’s about how you can translate scientific facts into scientific work.”
She continued, “Olin Hall was cutting-edge when I was there; that’s one of the things that drew me to NWU. But it is 40 years later and we need a new building. I’m supporting this initiative because I hope the students who get to study in that new building will have the same fantastic experiences I did.”
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Dr. Richard Jirovec (’81) returned to campus last spring for his nephew’s graduation. He couldn’t believe how many things had changed and improved since he was a student. But the fundamental elements of the education he received were still very much present, including Dappen himself. Like Jirovec, his nephew also studied under Dappen and served as his research assistant.
So the professor has touched two generations of the Jirovec family. Meanwhile, Dr. Jirovec’s patients include Dappen’s daughter. So the student has likewise impacted another generation of Dappens.
Jirovec remembers Dappen’s welcoming smile and his penchant for brief doughnut breaks. But his fondest memories are of his teaching and encouragement.
“He was always open for discussion or questions, and he treated all students with respect and an open heart,” Jirovec said. “I sincerely believe the opportunities I’ve had since graduation would not have been possible without this education and personal support.”
Jirovec and his wife, Carmen (’83), have supported Nebraska Wesleyan’s Archway Fund every year since graduation. They’ve recently designated their gifts to the Biology Department. “I have always felt that I have a debt to pay for those who have given their time and energies above and beyond their work description,” he said.
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As a first-year student, Jackson Kube (’16) found himself bemoaning a rigorous course load. His attitude changed during his spring-semester zoology class with Prof. Dappen.
“He seemed so passionate about what he did, and I could see what a valuable asset he truly was to me. He taught me that learning isn’t a burden; going to classes shouldn’t be a drag. Instead, he taught me to be excited about learning and to take advantage of all the information we had access to. I carried this throughout the rest of my time at Nebraska Wesleyan, and it has allowed me to grow as a student and a person.”
Kube conducted his senior research project on nematodes with Dappen as his advisor. He won the Carl and Shirley Jolliff Memorial Biology Research Award for his work.
But it was the process that Kube most cherishes. He won’t forget the Dappen doughnut breaks where “we’d talk about life and enjoy each other’s company.” He said, “Only looking back do you see how important little things like this can be. I’m going to miss the conversations we had more than I ever thought, and I am indebted for these moments with Dr. Dappen.”
Today, Kube is an optometry student at the University of Houston. But before he graduated from NWU, he was one of 226 seniors to contribute to their senior class gift, raising more than $3,200 for the Archway Fund. “Giving back to NWU is a way for me to show my thanks. I couldn’t imagine Nebraska Wesleyan without the outstanding professors, the activities, and all the resources available to students.”