Graber goes above, beyond

In the scene that was the turning point in “Mr. Holland’s Opus,” Richard Dreyfuss plays rock and roll music on the piano to show the students in his music appreciation class how classical music is related to their favorite kind of music. At that point, he sees the light bulbs come on in each student’s eyes. By bringing the students to this level, they not only understand the material but also grow an appreciation for it.

A connection was made—a moment that good teachers strive for and delight in.

It’s the kind of moment that Stephanie Graber lives.

“Oh, good morning, dear class!” she says with exuberance. “I’ve got lots of good stuff for you today!”

Never without a beaming smile on her face, University of Wisconsin-Stout professor Graber begins her next section of music in our world with the personality her students have grown to love.

“She’s one of the most expressive, musical people I’ve ever met,” said Jennifer Piesik, a senior in graphic design. “[She’s] very passionate for music.”

Some professors choose not to take the time to learn their students’ names each semester. Graber makes that effort and greets each student with a cheery smile at the door. And when class is over, she once again takes her post at the exit and says goodbye with her words, her eyes and her smile.

Graber, the director of instrumental music at UW-Stout, is held in high regard among her students. They are so fond of her that they commonly refer to her as Dr. G. According to her students, her personality along with her styles of teaching set her apart from other professors.

“I may be one of her students, but she is more like a parent and friend than any professor I have ever had,” said Andrew Imholte, a senior in graphic design. “She is always there with an open ear, no matter what the circumstance.”

Graber is also highly respected by her co-workers for her enthusiasm and dedication to the music programs at UW-Stout.

“This is a passionate and determined teacher who seems primarily concerned with student engagement and learning,” said Robert Horan, a professor in the department of English and philosophy. “Many of us teachers have our hands full trying to get 25 students on the same page. Stephanie can get 75 musicians on the same book. I regard Stephanie as one of the finest teachers I have ever seen at Stout.”

Graber, who began her sixth year at UW-Stout this semester, teaches a popular general education course called music in our world. A music major is not offered at the university, so these course sections are comprised of a variety of students, some with a vast musical background and some without. By implementing videos, playing CDs and demonstrating her own musical talents, Graber strives to make connections with each student and ensures that everyone understands the material.

“She made [music in our world] fun and interesting,” said Piesik. “She was more concerned with teaching the material well, as opposed to overwhelming us with [a lot of] information and an intimidating test. She realizes that we are not music majors, so she teaches us at our level, so that we stay interested.”

Piesek has been a member of Graber’s concert band for three years and is also the band librarian. She admires Graber’s positive outlook on life and the way she makes students want to do their best for her. Piesik feels that Graber treats band members like family.

“Once when I was working for her as band librarian last year, I accidentally locked her keys in the band room,” said Piesek. “All of the other music department staff had already left for the day, so she had to call maintenance to open the door. She didn’t want me to feel bad or look stupid, so she laughingly told the maintenance man that she had done it herself. I thought that was a sweet gesture on her part.”

Graber is also known for her hugs.

“Stop by Dr. G’s office sometime and look at all the pictures,” said Imholte. “There is no denying [the proof of] how many lives she has touched. I have never seen so many hugs documented on film.”

Although, hugs are not the only way Graber reaches her students.

“Oh, don’t worry, my little punkins...” is a common phrase Graber uses with her students. Imholte explains that punkins is a term of endearment used by Graber to show her affection toward her students, who she regards as her own children.

In her office, among the books and CDs, the shelves are decorated with plaques and certificates. Graber, like Holland, is an award-winning professor who sacrifices a great deal of her time and energy for her students.

In 2000, Graber was awarded Outstanding Professor for Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.

She was nominated by a UW-Stout honor student.

For Graber, the rewards of teaching go beyond being honored at a banquet or ceremony or receiving a certificate of appreciation.

“I am just tickled that I am allowed to share my musical experiences and knowledge with so many great students here at Stout,” said Graber. “I see the appreciation for what I share with them in their eyes and in their smiles; that is reward and honor enough [for me].”

Stout grads star-struck

Many students across the nation will be glued to their televisions this Thursday night to watch another episode of the popular sitcom “Friends.” Two University of Wisconsin-Stout graduates will be watching for a different reason.

They will be looking for themselves.

Jenni Strangis and Beth DeVries had the opportunity last month while in Los Angeles to play extras in an episode of “Friends.” Their friend, Stacia Stanek, 21, was also asked to join Strangis, 24, and DeVries, 24, as a sit-in.

The show, currently in its ninth season, uses an average of 35 to 50 extras per episode. The three women were lucky enough to be placed directly behind the famous couch in Central Perk.

“They came and grabbed us and walked us to the set,” said Strangis. “When we saw they were putting us in the prime spot right behind the couch, we were like, ‘Oh my God! We’ve got to tell everybody!’”

The women were attending a taping of the show and were thrilled to find out that a few more extras were needed for a scene. While they were sitting in the audience, director Gary Halvorson, who is also Strangis’ cousin, asked the women if they would fill the spots. Halvorson has won six Emmys throughout his career and also directs the well-known comedy “Everybody Loves Raymond.”

The entire taping took about eight hours and the scene the women were in took four takes.

“The first time the scene was shot, no one followed their cue, so we had to do it again,” said Strangis.

In this scene, with the characters Joey and Chandler, the extras were instructed to sit with fake coffee and pretend to have conversations with each other at their tables.

“We were basically whispering gibberish to each other,” said Strangis. “It’s tough to sit there and pretend you’re talking to your friends. You want to watch what’s going on, but you can’t look at the cameras, and you have to still be able to listen for your cue.”

The cue the extras were waiting to hear was when Chandler loudly says to Joey, “Monica doesn’t need a boob job!” At that point, everyone in the cafe is to look astonishingly at them.

After the taping, Strangis and DeVries got the opportunity to meet Matthew Perry on the set.

“I am completely in love with Matt Perry,” said Strangis. “We probably talked for three minutes, and I couldn’t tell you one single thing I said to him. The next thing I know, I felt this brush on my shoulder and there was Matt LeBlanc.”

Strangis and DeVries, who are roommates in Minnetonka, Minn., have been friends for five years. They graduated from UW-Stout with bachelor’s degrees in business and both currently work for Target Corporation in Minneapolis, Minn.

“I’ve always wanted to be on stage, ever since I was little,” said Strangis. “I would definitely do [this] again. It was our ten seconds of fame, and I would totally love it if this was my big break, but I doubt it will happen.”