Student: Isaac Sullivan, English

Inspiration: Mary McCall, assistant professor of English

English student Isaac Sullivan was inspired by Mary McCall’s kindness straightaway. The way McCall talks as equals with her students, intently listening and always interested, is striking.

It was easy for Sullivan to build a friendship with McCall. The way she easily interacts with students during office hours, willing to help in any way she can, made her a quick role model. Sullivan wants to be that kind of person. And he also wants to follow in McCall’s footsteps in his career, hoping to become a technical and grant writer, and professor.

McCall’s impact on Sullivan was more than academic.

“The way she interacts with people led me to view other people differently and it impacted the way I value everyone’s story,” said Sullivan, from Minot, North Dakota. “She showed me that everyone’s point of view is the same importance as my own. That’s not always easy to grasp when you are young. 

“As a person, you can cry on her shoulder if you need to and she makes you feel that everything is going to be all right. There is never a roadblock with her. She’s just always there for you. And she makes technical writing, which can sound boring, something exciting. She made me feel like it’s an important job and that made me want to do for my career. She really sparked my interest.”  

Future plans: Sullivan hopes to be a technical and grant writer. His long-term career goal is to become a professor.