Grateful Former Student Honors Lennertz for Teaching, Mentoring

Jim Lennertz, associate professor of government and law, changes lives. Many former students say they would not be where they are today if not for his influence as a teacher and mentor.

Leslie F. Muhlfelder ’81, Lafayette’s vice president for human resources and general counsel, is one such former student. Last spring, she established an endowment to fund the James E. Lennertz Prize for Exceptional Teaching and Mentoring, awarded annually to a member of the faculty who, like Lennertz, is an outstanding teacher and mentor and motivates students to achieve their full intellectual potential.

“Through his exceptional teaching,” reads the deed of gift, “Professor Lennertz illuminated for generations of Lafayette students the contents of the American Constitution and inspired them to pursue their own study of the fundamental rights and responsibilities contained within its pages.”

Lennertz exemplifies the personalized education that is the hallmark of the Lafayette Experience, Muhlfelder says.

“An outstanding teacher can cultivate his or her students’ interest in the subject matter, challenge them to recognize their own potential, and transfer his or her command of the classroom into a personal interest in each student’s achievements beyond the classroom,” she says. “That to me is the sign of the consummate Lafayette teacher, and that describes Jim Lennertz.

“Jim believed in me more than I believed in myself,” Muhlfelder recalls. “I am deeply indebted to him because he challenged me to see my own potential and, in doing so, enabled me to achieve it. I sincerely believe that were it not for Jim, I would not have achieved what I have today.”

Lennertz, who left a successful job as a lawyer at a Boston firm in 1975 to begin teaching at Lafayette, feels honored to be recognized for those talents, but says, “It’s just who I am.”

“I’ve always found, first of all, that I love teaching the combination of young and eager idealists who are in their formative periods. Emotionally, I love that part of what I do,” he says. “And I particularly love doing it at a small liberal arts college, where that is the shining light that’s central to our mission.”

Muhlfelder says she feels honored to have the opportunity to work as Lafayette’s general counsel and to give something back to her alma mater. She also teaches a course in the government and law department. She hopes to pass along to the next generation of Lafayette students some of the inspiration that she received from Lennertz, she says.

The inaugural recipient of the Lennertz Prize was Susan Averett, professor of economics and business, who “embodies the spirit of this new award,” says Provost June Schlueter.

A former student of Averett says, “She motivated me to strive for excellence, encouraged me to be inquisitive and a risk taker, and inspired me to complete my journey with a higher level of achievement than originally believed. She truly made a difference in my life.”

Former students of Lennertz sharing Muhlfelder’s appreciation of his teaching and wishing to contribute to the fund established in his honor may contact the development office. JIM Lennertz exemplifies the personalized education that is the hallmark of the Lafayette Experience.