In his 27 years at Baruch College, Dennis Slavin (center), an associate professor in the Department of Fine and Performing Arts and associate provost since 2002, estimates that he has taught 3,500 undergraduates, mostly in Music 1005: Principles of Music classes—yet he rarely encounters former students. Therefore, he was little expecting to run into Haxhire Redzovic (’96) (right) at the 2011 Freshman Parents’ Welcome Reception. Haxhire was at Baruch that August evening with her daughter, first-semester freshman Salihe (’14). Alumna and professor reconnected after 20 years, to the delight of both; and unbeknownst to Salihe, the Macaulay Honors freshman was signed up for Slavin’s class the following day! “As far as I know, Haxhire and Salihe are the only parent and child I have taught,” says Slavin.
Unquestionably, many alumni’s fondest memories are of their professors, and at Baruch those stories are music to our ears. Although neither Redzovic focused her studies on music—Haxhire majored in computer information systems and Salihe is majoring in finance—both insist that they appreciate music in a different way having taken Slavin’s course. “It’s always amazing to hear that something that former students learned in your class has had an important influence in their lives,” says the humble prof.
—Diane Harrigan
Note: Our three Baruchians were photographed in the Baruch Performing Arts Center (BPAC), on the stage of the Engelman Recital Hall, a beautiful, intimate performance space. BPAC’s year-round calendar of events, including theater, music, dance, and comedy, is available at www.baruch.cuny.edu/bpac.