[jabretti]

>He memorized pictures and bios of all 90 students in the first year class at Olin College of Engineering.

It's impressive not so much that he did that, but that he bothered to try.

Most lecturers (myself included) will try very hard not to learn anything about their students because they consider actually dealing with undergrads (particularly first-years!) on an individual level is beneath them.

[epalmer]

At Olin everyone is an undergraduate. Olin is about reinventing engineering education. They consider faculty as very important to the process but they are guides not instructors. The students most of the time have to seek information and approaches out.

[WoodenChair]

Sad to know that attitude pervades higher ed. Another reason students are well served choosing a teaching college for undergraduate instead of a research university.