They’re going to miss him when he’s gone

By Lawrence Bayley (Whetstone Contributor)

Mike Nielsen     Melissa Boyd / Whetstone

A lot of teachers and students have mixed feelings about Dr. Mike Nielsen retiring from the Media Arts Department after a quarter century.

He said he plans to travel the world and continue playing his harp and playing in a band.

For some students, what separates Nielsen from other teachers is his connection with them.

“That guy taught me a lot about how to edit and chop videos, to make them look better,” said Media Arts major Ryan Smith. “He will be missed because he is the kind of teacher who will sit with you if you need that extra help. He will show you how to do extra effects to help you get a higher grade. I hope whoever is replacing him comes with their ‘A’ game because they have big shoes to fill.”

Nielsen said his favorite memory teaching at Wesley centers on a student who made a video about a local power plant that was polluting the water in southern Delaware.

“He made a video that organized the people who created a movement to clean up the company’s act,” he said. “That’s what I’m most proud of.”

Nielsen said he will miss the students the most.

“Each year we have a new crowd of media art students with different dreams and wanting to do something cool and that’s what media is about, making cool things,” he said.

Professors in the Media Arts department said they will miss him.

“It’s going to be hard to replace his expertise and experience as a teacher,” said Professor Victor Greto, who teaches journalism. Greto also is leading the committee charged with finding Nielsen’s replacement.

Dr. Teresa Griffin, who teaches Web design and graphics, said she has mixed feelings about Nielsen’s retirement.

“I think it’s wonderful for him, that he will be able to do what he wants to do and live where he wants to live,” she said. “But it’s going to change the department a lot. I don’t know what the changes are going to be and who we are going to bring in to replace him,” she said.

Political Science professor Dr. Tony Armstrong is not only Nielsen’s co-worker but a longtime friend. Both of them played in a band called “Dover Mountain,” and toured in Italy.

“I am happy for him but sad to see him go,” he said. “We have shared a great deal in the way of music. He’s a good guy to talk philosophy with. He’s a good friend and I wish him the best of luck.”

Media Arts major Rick Jackson said he was happy for Nielsen but wonders about the person who will replace him.

“I hope the next person picks up where Dr. Nielsen left off,” he said. “I always did pretty good and learned a lot in his classes.”