Zoe St. Pierre, MA-SE (2019)
When I started my graduate studies at Carleton, I felt a bit like I didn’t belong. Coming to a new city, a new school and a new program, it was intimidating. I was surrounded by some of the smartest people I’ve ever met, and I had trouble believing that I too, had what it takes to be among them.
It wasn’t long into my first term that I realized how devoted Glen was to his students. I decided to talk to him about some of these worries and he assured me that I wasn’t the only one who feels like this when they start grad school. In fact, Glen made a point from then on to encourage me to voice my thoughts, my opinions and my ideas at any time. His interactive classes were structured in a way that permitted all of his students to feel challenged, to grow their confidence and to participate in a meaningful way (whether they wanted to or not at 8:30am). To any future student reading this, if you can take even one class with Glen, I promise that you will not regret it.
Thank you for being such a great mentor, Glen. Your genuine support and encouragement throughout these past few years has helped shape the next chapter of my academic and professional life.
This reflection on the student experience was offered as part of a fundraising effort for the Dr. Glen Toner Scholarship Fund.