“Canisius has been a very special part of my life for a long time. I feel privileged to have been able to teach the subject I love – history – for the past fifteen years.”
Ray Barker, PhD, has consistently been one of the most popular adjunct professors at Canisius. In addition to his lively classroom manner, he engages students outside of the class in the Anime Club, in the Tutoring Center and through his management of the North Park Theatre. Ray provides opportunities for learning informally through cinema and his love of film.
One of Ray’s favorite aspects of teaching is when he has a student early on in their academic career and again years later. “It is always a pleasure to see the intellectual and personal growth that takes place in our undergraduates over just a few years,” he said.
Ray’s father, Kenneth, also taught at Canisius in the Biology Department. He would take Ray to campus when he was younger. Perhaps this is why Ray feels that he has grown up on the Canisius campus.
Did you know…one of Ray’s former students Lindsey Visser ’14, recently graduated from Oxford University in England with a master’s degree in history. Having kept in contact, Lindsey told Ray that his Medieval World course was her favorite course at Canisius – she even brought her notes from class with her to Oxford. “That really made me feel good about my teaching!” said Ray.
Submitted by: College Communications
