6C THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, SEPTMBER 14, 2005
SEX on the HILL
KELSEY HAYES editor@kansan.com KANSAN CORRESPONDENT
Mary Klayder
Patrick Ross/KANSAN
Honors English students are quite enamored with Mary Klayder. While he accumulates that much love
While some speculate that such love stems from her fashion sense ("Have you seen those awesome scarves?") Kim Duensing, Blue Rapids junior, said), Klayder's cult following may have more to do with her love of reading and devotion to those under her guidance. The sense of humor helps too, no doubt.
Klayder received her bachelor's degree in English from the University of Kansas in 1972. This was followed by another bachelor's in education in 1975, a master's in English in 1981 and a doctorate in English in 1995.
A member of the faculty since 1980, she has been the recipient of Mortar Board's Outstanding Educator's Award five times: 1991, 1995, 2001, 2002 and 2005. Students under her supervision have received awards, including the Marshall and McNair scholarships.
"People tend to do best when they really are excited about what they're doing." Klayder said.
Obviously, to receive that many accolades, Klayder has to have done something right. Her secret revolves around inspiring enthusiasm among her students, to get them to think about what they want out of life.
Duensing, who first enrolled in one of Klayder's "Freshman Honors English" classes and her Freshman Honors Tutorial "So You Want to be a Writer, Huh?", enjoyed Klayder's teaching style so much that she went back for more. Duensing took Klayder's "Sophomore Honors Proseminar" class the next semester and participated in the London Review program a year later.
Klayder is program director for the London Review, a study abroad program in which students spend spring break in London and create a publication of reviews and essays about their stay.
Duensing recalled how Klayder comforted her in London during a moment of culture shock. Duensing, being from a small town, was overwhelmed by the city.
"Mary spent a long time in my hotel room, comforting me and promising me that everything would be OK because we were going to Oxford the next day, where I could see cows on the way in the countryside," Duensing said. "I just remember her saying 'I promise, you'll see cows tomorrow.'"
Emily Howard, Dodge City senior, also took "Freshman Honors English" with Klayer her freshman year. Howard still keeps in touch with Klayer.
"Her support extends beyond the English class, and beyond the professor/student relationship." Howard said. "I consider Professor Klayder a great mentor. She has helped me throughout my four years at KU, even though I'm not an English major."
Besides being involved in such activities as London Review, Klayder also participates in readings (such as Moby Dick and Ulysses on Massachusetts Street), advises the Center for Community Outreach, opens her home to English department parties, and judges poetry slams at scholarship halls.
"I think Lawrence is a really rich community," Klayder said of her involvement. "I'm a really interdisciplinary nature."
It's this kind of participation outside of the classroom that endears her to students.
"I know that whenever I have a problem, whether it's school-related or a personal relationship, Mary will be there," Duensing said. "She's encouraging, she's exciting, and she cares. That's huge."
Edited by Alison Peterson