Nielsen Retiring After 25 Years

Students and Faculty Express Thanks

Media Arts students say they will miss Dr. Mike Nielsen’s skills and all the things he’d done for them over the years.

“He was the type of guy who made the students feel relaxed and comfortable in class,” said former student Evan Collotti. “His teaching taught me that you shouldn’t fear your educators because they are people too and not being afraid helps you learn in a better environment.”

“He was a great teacher to everyone,” said junior John Wolgamot. “Even though some didn’t give him the time of day he always cared.”

Dr. Nielsen

Many students recall their favorite courses and moments with Nielsen.

“Media Aesthetics was my favorite class because he showed me ‘Citizen Kane,’” Wolgamot said.

Senior Linnea Cavallo thanked Nielsen for putting her on track after she transferred into the Media Arts department.

“He was my advisor so he was the first person I met in the media arts department and he set me on the right path,” Cavallo said. “We have a lot in common. I like documentaries and videos so when we talk about it we know what to say.”

Collotti credits Nielsen for speaking to him with honesty.

“I got my feedback for my final project and he didn’t sugarcoat anything,” he said. “He’ll tell you what his thoughts were about it. What he did was tell me my project could have been better, but it was funny how he doesn’t beat around the bush.”

Nielsen playing the harp

His longtime friend Dr. Anthony Armstrong said he cherished the memories he shares with Nielsen.

“Dr. Nielsen was on the faculty when I arrived in 1991,” Armstrong said. “At the time he was just a colleague, and now were great friends. What made us close was he asked me at one point to come over and play some music at his house and we jammed.”

Both Nielsen and Armstrong became members of a band they created called Dover Mountain.

“We practiced and played in his living room throughout the years,” Armstrong said. “We even went on a tour in Ireland in 2001.”

Armstrong said Nielsen never hesitates to speak his mind.

“He’s the most genuine person I know,” he said. “He’ll say whatever he’s thinking.”