NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt basketball star Shan Foster, who will receive a degree in human and organizational development from Vanderbilt’s Peabody College on May 9, is the kind of student who gives teachers hope that the next generation is in good hands, said Sharon Shields, professor in the practice of human and organizational development.
"He embodies the idea that learning should be transformational," Shields said. "And it was for him. But he also transformed those around him."
Foster, the SEC player of the year and Vanderbilt’s all-time leading scorer, said he always had a sense that his professors and coaches at Vanderbilt truly cared about him as a person, making him want to respond in kind. When he enrolled in classes, he learned that his professors "expected the same out of me in the classroom as on the court."
Howard Sandler was one of Foster’s toughest teachers. "Statistics was hard for me, so Howard and I got real close," Foster said with his trademark smile, adding that Sandler didn’t just teach – he wanted every student to understand the concepts.
Sandler fondly remembers Foster’s imposing 6-foot-6 presence in his introduction to statistics class during the star shooting guard’s sophomore year. "What impressed me most about him was that after he did poorly on the first exam, he came to me and said that his performance was not up to his standards, that he was going to do better, and that he needed me to tell him how he should go about doing better," said Sandler, professor of psychology.
Foster succeeded in the class and continued to stay in touch after the class was over and Sandler often found himself in a "big bear hug" when he came across Foster on campus.
Brian Griffith, assistant clinical professor and assistant director of the human and organizational development program, was Foster’s faculty adviser. Griffith said he is grateful he got to know Foster as more than just an athlete. "He’s a man of integrity and deep faith," Griffith said. "He was always looking for ways to reach out to others."
Shields said Foster is as much of a teacher himself as a student, and that after the class ended she found Foster encouraged her in her work as much as she encouraged him.
"I found him to be a very compassionate and caring student," she said. "He cares really deeply and is engaged in his reading and his work. In his mentoring work as well, he was a great example for younger people. I like to think of what Shan’s doing not just as community involvement but as community engagement. He is someone who can make a difference."
Sandler, Foster’s tough statistics teacher, agreed. "Shan has his head on straight," Sandler said. "He is one of the nicest, most genuine people I know. I am very proud of him and what he has done to make Vanderbilt a better place."
Media Contact: Jennifer Johnston (615) 322-NEWS
jennifer.johnston@vanderbilt.edu