I have been David’s student since 1969, and I continue to learn from what he taught. In crucial ways I modeled myself after him as a teacher: His demanding syllabuses first intimidated then dazzled me, imprinted on me that the more I asked of students, given their preparation, the more they tended to learn; the more I offered in individual time and critical encouragement, the more they came into their own. David early on suggested I develop my interests in cinema and politics by looking into the Hollywood blacklist, which became the topic of my senior paper for him, much of my graduate research, and part of my professional writing, concluding with my last published piece in 2012. There's more. As learned and serious as he could be when he taught, David frequently in class allowed himself a wry smile, and a twinkle in his eye. He could be as funny, sometimes knee-slappingly so, describing politicians (or university figures) as any monologist then on television or records, and always with a point. That contributed to my inclination that academic work should be more than academic.
Class of '71
Professor Emeritus
Media and Cultural Studies
Macalester College