Folklore alumni & OSU staffers honored by Sphinx and Mortarboard students

Folklorists, CFS alumni, and current OSU alt-ac staffers, Dr. Joanna Spanos, Dr. Nicole Nieto, and Dr. Cassie Patterson were honored by their students for their mentorship at the Sphinx and Mortar Board Faculty and Staff Recognition Reception on February 27th.

Dr. Spanos was honored by TWO of her students, Nick Trivelas (Chemistry) and Ana Sucaldito (Neuroscience, Folklore Minor). Nick said of Joanna, "Whether I was questioning my future, needed to inform someone of the latest Broadway hits, or whether my band of fellow chemistry majors needed a mother duck to huddle around, Joanna was always there." Ana says, "She always has time for a conversation, even when you catch her between appointments, and pushes us all to grow... Her personal touch and encouragement has changed my life, from introducing me to my minor, increasing my confidence in the classroom, and secretly showing up to my first folklore conference talk and inviting all my friends."

Dr. Nieto was honored by Amara Barakat (Econoics - Business), sho said “I greatly admire Nicole, her dedication to her values, and her commitment to diversity and inclusion. She is passionate in all that does, striving to make an impact on the women at Ohio State each and every day. She is an extremely genuine, caring, positive, and strong woman who constantly goes out of her way to build relationships with those around her.”

In her nomination essay for Dr. Patterson, Edrienne Co (Computer Science & Engineering) discussed having taken an independent study course with with her that culminated in a digital story about home and place. Ed says, "[u]nder her guidance, I've learned how to listen, ask questions, value people's stories, and appreciate the humanities. It changed the way I viewed computer science. How does technology shape the human narrative, and how should human narrative shape technology? Her lessons have left a permanent imprint on my perspective."