MU Spotlight 20/20

Richard Krohn

What is your role at the University and what is something many may not know about the work you do?

I teach economics, Spanish for Nurses, First Year Writing Seminar, and I am academic mentor/advisor for the tennis teams.

My favorite spot on campus is ______ because ______.

My favorite spot is the area surrounded by Comenius, Memorial, Monocacy, and Zinzendorf because that feels like the "intimate," historic heart of the Main Campus.

My favorite College tradition is ______ because ______.

My favorite college tradition is not a particular, named event, but rather the "tradition" (habit) of students holding doors open for others and for me, and greeting me as I go across campus: very "small college" and Moravian, in the best sense.

One thing that many of my colleagues don’t know about me outside of my Moravian University responsibilities is ______. I am sharing this with you because ______.

FOUR things: Though I presently teach economics, Spanish, and FYWS, my doctorate is in American Studies (interdisciplinary history). I am an active poet, with about 70 to 75 published poems. I was a soccer goalie in college. I used to do a lot of acting (on stage).

My typical weekend would go something like this:

Going to an inexpensive ethnic restaurant; taking a long bike ride (weather permitting!) or jog; and definitely doing The New York Times Sunday puzzles—the math-oriented ones and verbal ones, especially the cryptic puns and anagrams!

When I grow up, I want to be ______ because ______.

I want to be even more than smart or accomplished in any particular field, I want to be wise and kind, in general and as a professor. At the same time, I recognize that I am not fully "grown up," that I have inclinations and little "voices" from childhood, good and not, and maybe even a bit of rebelliousness that keeps me from being fully grown up.

Who is your hero? Why?

I shy away from the word "hero," but I absolutely admire too many people to list, contemporary and historical. For presidents, that would be Obama and Lincoln. Also, every woman who has done her best with child-bearing and childcare is in many ways an enduring, under-recognized (s)hero, as are the millions who have heroically endured hardships and cruelties. Thus, it's hard to name names!

What is your favorite ice cream?

pistachio

I can never resist a good ______.

one-liner

What makes you happy?

Many things, of course, but even at age 68 I love how students look when they realize that they are learning something.