I have never found myself so incredibly frustrated with an academic instructor. So many times I found myself glaring at his shiny forehead, thinking “Damnit, why wont you just tell us what you want?!” Bill Arney is without doubt generously qualified for his position. To the classroom he brings a wealth of knowledge that is oftentimes hard to categorize as first person experience or something read from a book. He is resourceful in his allegories, or at least for those who have managed to follow his train of thought that deep into a monologue.

My frustration in class and while writing comes from the standards that Bill holds for his students. He pushes us to think deeper, to adapt to foreign perspectives as if they were our own, and to challenge our own thinking. Our seminars were often quiet, but only because so few of us felt confident speaking on the level of intangibility that was expected of us. When conversation arose, it could very likely take flight, and I think that each and every student could leave each class feeling enlightened and slightly belittled, for better or worse. Learning is no joke to Bill. He expects of his students the same efforts in thought as the subjects of our studies.

I suppose that my one gripe with Bill would be that I received less personal attention to my work than I might have liked. Spoiled millennial? Maybe. Bill seems to expect a high level of devotion and quality of our writing, and while I feel my writing has vastly improved, I think that it could have more so, had Bill provided more specific critiques. Likely I expect too much. After all, I am one of nearly twenty students who write for Bill for each assignment, I am thankful for his feedback in the safe of such a workload.

All in all, it has been a great pleasure working and learning under Bill. I would enthusiastically pursue his course offerings in the future, in spite of the guaranteed challenge that they would present.

Ethan Rogol served as our Spanish Language instructor for this quarter only. Ethan was incredibly enthusiastic, bright, and patient with his instruction. We all enjoyed his integration of music into our classes, and how ready he was to cater to varying experience levels. His approach to learning language is tradition with more practical touches, which make for a classroom full of waving hands trying to pantomime a haircut to less fluent piers. I enjoyed his class, and feel as though I leave for Spain much more capable of finding a place to rest my tired bones at the end of a long day walking.

In the Spring, I was lucky to interact with Bill Arney in a fashion that few students ever do with their instructors. I met with Bill several times along our walk through Spain. We usually discussed my writing, and I found it much easier to gain concrete advice and criticism in this environment. It was refreshing to be around Bill in a more casual setting. When I faced a miniature existential crisis of sorts, I forced myself to talk to Bill, and his advice, while a bit sryptic, was helpful. Above all else I am so very grateful for this opportunity that he has created for myself and the other students. Walking to Santiago de Compostela has been the best decision I have ever made, and It certainly wouldnt have been the same without Bill Arney.