Michael Nehring

When we left campus last March, and began teaching remotely, I promised my students that I would work constantly and consistently to uphold the top tier education they was promised when they came to Chapman. On Zoom I asked students in my classes to make our educational experience BETTER than what we had experienced before. I know we achieved this based on the student reactions at the end of the semester, thanking me for a surprisingly impactful class. I reminded them that I didn’t rise to the demands of the occasion, WE did. I knew we could do better than ever before by demonstrating, class by class, that we intended to maintain the Chapman University Theatre Department standards of excellence in our zoom classes. We minimized what was problematic about teaching on zoom and maximized positive aspects of zoom teaching. Creative people can and must take what is offered and celebrate the imaginative human spirit by maintaining excellence. I have been a Chapman Professor for thirty nine years. I welcome you and I am glad you are here.