Robin Kreher Brown ’82 says that she had a wide assortment of excellent professors, but the one that stands out to her even years later is Dr. Thomas Thornley Jr., Professor of Music at Bridgewater College from 1972-1997.
“Our paths crossed during summer school between my junior and senior years when I took his introduction to education class. I was struggling with what I wanted to do after graduation. Originally, I planned to go into nutrition, but I had met my match with organic chemistry.”
Brown says that Thornley took the time to talk with her about her goals for the rest of her time at BC and beyond. He encouraged her to go into education, which she did.
“Dr. Thornley took an interest in me that summer even though I wasn’t a music major or minor. I am incredibly grateful that he saw something in me that, at the time, I didn’t. I believe strongly that this is just one of the ways Bridgewater is special: It is that professor, coach, instructor or campus employee who looks and sees the spark in a student and creates an environment to promote, push and/or challenge the student to succeed,” Brown says.
“I contribute to BC because I want to give back what was given to me.”
Originally published in the Bridgewater College Annual Report of Donors, 2023-2024.
