Marc Spingola
Because Marc Spingola requires his virology students to read The New York Times, he enjoys a free subscription at home. Is that his motivation? No. Is it a nice perk for a guy who loves his morning paper? You bet.
Spingola’s students must find virus-related stories from any form of media – with two being from print – and write a 500-word paper about it. Because of this, The New York Times College Readership Program sends the paper to UMSL at a reduced price and sends him complimentary copies as well.
“I want them to peruse a newspaper,” said Spingola, assistant teaching professor of biology at UMSL, who is an established New York Times fan. “There is an extra benefit you get from looking through a newspaper. You come across other articles you’d never find from an Internet search.”
For his efforts, Spingola’s virology course is highlighted on the Times’ Web site.
“I’m proud,” he said. “I feel like I’ve gotten some recognition. I like to do something other than lecture them to death.”
http://www.umsl.edu/~biology/faculty/spingola.html
