Teacher talk: Bob Pieri
Students can bring a vibrant thrill to Bob Pieri, a mechanical engineering professor. The former military man said he enjoys educating new students and helping them pursue their interest in engineering.
Pieri recently discussed his love for teaching with The Spectrum.
Where did you get your degree?
I got my undergraduate degree at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. I got my master’s degree at Dartmouth College — that was in environmental engineering and public policy.
What did you do after receiving your degrees?
The 10 years before I got my Ph.D., I was an engineer in the U.S. Air Force. I did research on pollutants in the upper atmosphere. That was headquartered just outside of Boston, Mass.
What kind of classes do you teach?
I teach our graphics, computer-aided design and computer-aided graphics classes. So these are courses that make three-dimensional models on the computer. I teach mostly the freshman and sophomore classes.
What is one of your favorite classes to teach?
The (University) 189 is pretty fun. I love the freshman enthusiasm.
Why did you want to go into the engineering field?
I was continually taking stuff apart and trying to put it back together. When I got my Ph.D. in fracture mechanics, my mother said it was about time I was getting paid to break things.
What is one of your largest accomplishments in life?
I’m proud of having three pretty good kids. I’m proud of being able to work with students and try to show them a rewarding career, I think. And get them ready to get out there and doing the same kind of jobs. I’m proud of being married for 33 years to still my first wife.
Where were you before teaching at NDSU?
I was teaching at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. You walk in the classroom there and immediately the class comes to attention in unison. The person that sits in the front, right-hand row seat salutes and says, “Ready for instruction, sir.” They’re all wearing the same clothes I’m wearing.
What kind of research are you devoted to?
My research is in typically behavior materials, educational issues, pedagogy, how to be more effective in teaching. When I was in the Air Force I was actually doing atmospheric research. Right now, what I’d like to do is sort of transition more into alternative energies, because that’s going to be more important to North Dakotans.
What is your favorite breed of dog?
German shorthaired pointer. We’ve had five of them over 30 years. I’ve taken them hunting. They’re just great companions.
Whom do you admire?
Leonardo da Vinci, Abraham Lincoln. A fictional character I admire greatly is Cyrano de Bergerac. The latest version of that is a movie with Steve Martin, “Roxanne.” The main character is somebody that has a big nose. What I like about the character is that he’s able to take a characteristic that some people think is not very favorable and still excel with it.
If you could meet any person, dead or alive, who would it be?
One obvious answer would be Jesus Christ, but I figure we’ll probably end up at the end of this thing anyways. Maybe some of the great Greek mathematicians, or Leonardo (da Vinci) — go have a glass of wine in northern Italy somewhere.
If you could go to any music concert, what would it be?
The last music concert I went to was Willie Nelson. Maybe I’d just let my daughter choose and go with her. It would be interesting to expand my horizons.
What is your favorite car?
The one that works and the one that’s paid for. That’s my favorite, but that’s a dad with three kids talking. I’m impressed with the new Cadillacs that are out there. Other than that, something out of northern Italy would be just fine, thank you.
Did you always want to be a teacher?
No … when I was growing up with my sister and we played school, I was always the student. Probably after college I started to think more and more about getting people reading to go in the same profession.
What is your favorite part of being a teacher?
The energy of the students: (they’re) seeing things with new eyes, almost daily. The positive joy you feel from making a positive influence on a young person’s life.