Troy C. Messina

Family?

I am married with 5 cats (I know), Loki, Bella, Piguin, Miko, and The Dude. My parents are still in Rockwall, and my 3-year older brother lives in Austin.

Interesting Personal fact?

I have been playing drums semi-professionally for almost 20 years, including playing live band karaoke for Mayor Bloomberg (NYC), Clear-Channel Radio, and Saturday Night Live cast and crew. Currently, I am playing with Loren Demerath in an American Songbook group, A Fine Romance. We have a residency at the Robinson Film Center Tuesdays in April and May.

What most people don’t know about you?

I love organic gardening and landscaping; although, I never remember plant names.

What makes a good professor?

If I knew, my job would be easy. I think the ability to tailor lectures and material to a wide variety of learning styles is helpful.

What makes the Centenary experience?

Every student can create a their own unique experience through individualized (course, outreach, intercultural, etc.) projects. I guess I’m saying that there isn’t “the” Centenary experience, but “a” Centenary experience, which is different for everyone.

What do you enjoy about Centenary?

Opportunities to know a diverse group of people. I came to a liberal arts school so that I would interact with artists, linguists, philosophers, etc. because I’m fascinated with the academy in general, not just science. I play racquetball with a communications professor, in a band with a sociology professor, and in an informal dinner club with philosopher and math professors.

What do you like about teaching?

As a scientist, I like that I see immediate results that I can analyze. As a teacher, I like that I am a part of students’ self-improvement. One of my favorite expressions is that knowledge is about the only thing that can’t be taken from you.

What do you see as your role here at the college?

To make it the best college it can be. That occurs through teaching, scholarly activities, outreach and service, and a number of other ways. I quickly discovered that I am not just a physics teacher.

What makes a successful professor? Student?

Professors need to be adaptable. Older generations never seem to understand younger ones. Making an effort to understand younger generations’ perspectives, ideologies, learning styles, etc. goes a long way.

Students could make similar strides to meet faculty in the middle, but more importantly, students need to be motivated and interested. Many students decide a course is not useful to them well before they enroll. Maybe this is from rumors about particular professors’ teaching styles (see paragraph above).

What is the hardest transition for high school students to college and how do you help alleviate it?

Not being the best student in the class or not being able to just cruise through a class. It usually works itself out as students realize that the world is bigger than the group of people they grew up with or acclimate to the fact that college requires a lot more work than high school.

Favorite quote?

This is completely out of context, but "...mostly," and another is, "The dude abides."

Favorite movie, play, band, etc.?

Movie: The Big Lebowski
Band: Foo Fighters