Christine Holmgren

Professor

“I love being in a position where I can get people excited about new ideas.”

Christine Holmgren is from Minnesota and, yes, she roots for the Minnesota Twins. The jury was still out on the World Series, but the verdict was in on SMC. “Any number of students who have gone on to bigger schools have told me that the teaching they got here is as good as it gets.” Christine had her first part-time teaching job with SMC eight years ago. “And as a result of that time, I always thought that some day I would love to return and teach full time here.”

Christine is teaching the full gamut in her discipline this year. “I’m teaching an introductory class, ancient philosophy and a class on world religions. It’s a great deal of fun to introduce my students to alternative world views that are so different from the ones they’ve grown up with.” Christine says that a real devotion to teaching and a good measure of patience are the most valuable tools in teaching. “But I think when teaching is at its best, it’s also somewhat entertaining,” she says. “And I’m not above bringing a little ‘show-biz’ into the classroom.”

Students feeling pressure with their studies can take heart in knowing that Christine empathizes completely. “I’m going to law school to learn how political philosophy finds its way into concrete form in our legal system,” says Christine. “So I do understand—firsthand—the pressures my students feel. And I think that helps make me a better teacher.”

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