<p>I have a wonderful story to share. I graduated from Barnard in 1985 and my daughter is Barnard '09. I’d always known about Dennis Dalton, a renowned poli sci prof there, and I knew his son a little bit, who was at Columbia at the same time (as was Obama), but I’d never taken any of Dalton’s classes. Since then, I’ve become quite politically active and have studied Gandhi on my own, reading all I can on him and talking about him at every opportunity. Only in recent years did I realize Dalton is a Gandhian! Sad that I missed the chance to be his student, I recently emailed him to say that I would love to visit his class and have a conversation with him. Wouldn’t you know he emailed me immediately back in the most generous and welcoming way, telling me he’d mail me the course packet and syllabus and all. I’m going to NYC in April to sit in on his class and have a meeting with him before he retires this spring. I want to share this story as an example of how many Barnard faculty members go out of their way to not only teach but to really mentor those who are seeking mentorship. I’m not an exception; Dalton treats everyone this way. He has a reputation for being incredibly generous with his time and energy with all students. He also joined the students at Columbia who went on the hunger strike last fall to urge the administration to make some changes regarding the university expansion into Harlem as well as changes to the core curriculum. I appreciate the amazing opportunity Barnard students have to such individuals.</p>
<p>My daughter was taking an introductory poli sci class from Prof. Dalton last year, and when I went to visit her there was a review session for a midterm scheduled on a Friday morning. My d. invited me to attend class with her. The classroom was packed (about 45 students) and I sat at the very back so as to be inconspicuous. Of course, being at the back meant that when class was over I was one of the last to leave -- at that time Dr. Dalton made a point of coming up to me, introducing himself (as if I didn't know), and thanking me for attending his class, saying that he was always happy to see parents visiting. So yes.... he is very warm person and while I am sure that for him, his retirement is a happy occasion, and certainly well-earned and well-deserved, it is a loss for future Barnard students.</p>
<p>Dalton is INCREDIBLE and the perfect example of a nice, welcoming, and generous Barnard prof. He teachers huge intro classes, yet still gives out his home phone number and tells students to call him anytime. He genuinely wants to see everyone learn and succeed, and will do whatever he can to help students do so. I love this man ! If any prospective students are thinking of visiting a class, definitely consider sitting in on Dalton's - it's always a great experience</p>
<p>Just to add that in his "retirement" he plans to teach high school in St Croix, where his younger son and grandchildren live. Lucky students--I hope they take full advantage of him! He says he's a little daunted at the prospect of teaching these kids, after years of being spoiled by "magnificent Barnard students."</p>
<p>I don't understand - I visited Barnard and sat in on some sort of Intro to Poly Sci class with Dalton back in November. He spent the entire time reading from an outline and never once opened the class to discourse or even looked up from his notes! Furthermore, it was sort of trite - Rousseau/Locke social contract stuff that students should be able to comment on because I certainly knew what he was talking about.</p>
<p>Is this terribly unusual for him? I did read that day he was participating in a hunger strike in solidarity with the students, so maybe he was offguard? Everyone was taking notes, so he certainly commanded the respect of his students. I thought the student who recommended I sit in on his class was playing tricks on me.</p>
<p>Sorry to hear that. Everyone has their off-days, god knows; I'm guessing he was low-energy from fasting. Also, one-on-one he probably would have risen to the occasion and engaged in discussion with you. We are all human after all...</p>