When examining campus culture, we often focus on student activities. This semester we started a series examining how professors on campus contribute to our culture as well! This week we’re hearing from Dr. Michael Pekel, a Lecturer in Music & Fine Arts.
To give us an introduction to Dr. Pekel, I asked Zachary Bayers to give us his perspective as a second-year choir student! As he said, “Pekel is an incredibly passionate teacher who pours his heart towards his work. I admire his dedication towards music as a whole, and he’s always up to challenge the choir to the best of its ability.”
Q: How did you come to work in your field?
A: My musical journey started when I learned music theory playing bass in my high school’s jazz band. Next thing I knew I was majoring in vocal performance at Xavier University, then pursuing graduate degrees in choral conducting.
Q: How long have you been at Roanoke, and how did you come to be here?
A: I am in my second year at the college. I applied to a lot of jobs in Spring of 2022 and wound up at Roanoke. I was drawn in by the other cool and smart professors I met while interviewing — it felt like a true scholarly community.
Q: What is your favorite part of your work, and what is the most challenging?
A: My favorite part is working with the wonderful Roanoke Choir! The most challenging part has been learning how to teach the INQ classes.
Q: What is the biggest thing you’ve learned since coming to work here?
A: I’ve felt a renewed sense of commitment to the values and feelings that originally moved me onto this path. I am grateful for that renewal.
Q: What is your advice to Roanoke College students?
A: Our modern technology-worshipping culture threatens to flood our precious minds and souls with shallowness. Keep resisting. Embrace true places of community and culture, read great books, never stop learning, and seek what is beautiful, good, and true.
Maggie Raker
Section Editor
