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Messages from Educators, 2006 and 2007

Read the praise from educators all over the United States who invited Gary to speak in their classrooms and lecture halls

From: Prof. Aletia Droba [Wayne State & Oakland Comm. Co.]
Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2007 10:52 PM

I just wanted to tell you how inspiring it is to hear you speak, again. Great class today!

From: Prof. Allen Andersen [Miramar College in San Diego, CA]
Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2007 8:21 PM

The blur of the semester is improving a bit, so I wanted to drop a line as you begin to make your plans for spring. First, I'd like to say a belated thank you for coming to my classes this semester. While the responses to your presentation were varied, all were moved and impressed by your passion and conviction. The writing I assigned my students after your visit was very successful and interesting, and it provided students an excellent opportunity for reflection and discussion. So, next semester I'd love to have you back.

From: Prof. Jean Schlitzkus [El Paso Comm. Co.]
Sent: Monday, November 19, 2007 2:56 PM

I believe your guest presentation was the most effective presentation my students saw this semester.

From: Prof. Kristina Hancock [Cal Western Law]
Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2007 11:54 PM

One of the students today asked the class how many students were becoming vegetarian/vegan as a result of your speech (I didn't ask, a student did this on his own initiative) and seven or eight raised their hands (out of 28).

From: Prof. Steven Coons [Miramar College in San Diego, CA]
Sent: Monday, November 12, 2007 7:10 PM

I always enjoy your informative and provocative presentations. You are well prepared, and deliver a lot of things for these young people to think about. In most of my classes, I try to employ a "critical thinking" component. Hence, this is good to combat the dominant and thoughtless corporate (profit-driven) perspective on reality. I would love to have you back next (Spring 2008) semester; in fact, as long as you can get your funding, and make the presentations I will continue to make time in my classes for you. I feel it is both a benefit and a service to all of us!!!! It is through efforts and work—such as yours—that our world will continue to change for the better. Indeed, it is a long struggle, and I'm sure—noting your passion & sincerity—not fast enough for you, but you, and many, many others—who struggle in other areas of abuse, exploitation, oppression, & wrongdoing—are making the world a better and more conscientious place! Keep Up The Good Work!

From: Prof. Mel Seesholtz [Penn St.-Abington]
Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 4:06 PM

You never cease to amaze and inspire me...and others. You will ALWAYS be welcome in my classes, Gary. Period. Your presentation and Q&A session birthed quite a few new Conscious human beings who have sworn not to eat their fellow creatures. They REALLY responded to you're saying "we." Made them feel connected to you and that you weren't preaching "at them." They also greatly admired your blunt honesty. Even though some did not agree with certain points, all respected your honesty and especially you're DOING rather than just talking about. Remember the screaming overweight woman that walked out of your lecture several semesters ago? Well, I've kept in touch with Tiffany. She eventually went vegan and lost 125 pounds. In the last e-mail I got from her (in which I mentioned your pending lectures this semester), she asked me to tell you this: "God bless you...you saved my life and made me human..."

From: Prof. Jean Schlitzkus [El Paso Comm. Co.]
Sent: Sunday, October 07, 2007 10:40 PM

The presentation was powerful! I have heard from several students who are considering a lifestyle change. In fact, I have yet to hear one disappointed audience member. Thank you so much for sharing your stories with such passion. I really enjoyed meeting you as well. I admire your courage.

From: Prof. Corrie Ort [Miramar College in San Diego, CA]
Sent: Sunday, October 07, 2007 12:11 PM

I appreciated your lecture tremendously. I became a total vegan after the first lecture Tuesday evening. I hope very much you can come next semester. It would be a little bit better to have you come 3 or 4 weeks later into the semester because then we will already have covered forms of oppression and the economy. However, I'll take you any time you can talk.

From: Prof. Ian MacKinnon [U. of Akron]
Sent: Saturday, May 05, 2007 9:01 AM

Apparently you grow on people. After your visit and the dust had settled a bit, your lecture became a reference point for many students throughout the remainder of the term. Several discussions concerning various issues were punctuated by things you had said. I guess those young minds are open some after all.

From: Prof. Steven Coons [Miramar College in San Diego, CA]
Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2007 2:06 PM
To: Professors William Puett, Corrie Ort, Parvine Ghaffari

Bill/Corrie/Parvine:

I just had another incredibly great presentation in two (2) of my classes from Gary Yourofsky. Gary, who is an amazing Lecturer, presented in all my classes several years ago, and I really learned a lot from those presentations. Since then, his presentations have even gotten more relevant and stronger. Gary has a real passion for the topic which is very evident once one experiences his lecture. I really admire Gary a lot! Students can learn a tremendous amount from his presentation. I would say his presentations are exceptional! Gary doesn't charge for his presentations, although they are worth a lot in terms of ethics, health, humanity, etc. He is merely trying to get the word out, to educate and teach compassion and understanding. Gary will be presenting in two (2) more of my classes this week, and I would like to invite you to attend. Feel free to bring your class if you could work it in. This presentation would be particularly beneficial to any Critical Thinking Class and/or class that is taught from a Critical Thinking standpoint.

From: Prof. Phildon Huffaker [Cal State-Long Beach]
Sent: Sunday, April 22, 2007 12:35 PM

I want to thank you for your contribution to my ethics class this past Thursday. I know there were various responses to your presentation (which were very apparent in my students' body language) and I hope to find out a bit more about how my students responded to your ideas and the facts presented to them. I hope that you continue to find joy and success in your efforts. I'm sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. But I want you to know how much I appreciated your efforts and kindness.

From: Prof. Mel Seesholtz [Penn State-Abington]
Sent: Saturday, April 21, 2007 3:52 PM

I forwarded it [article on the Netherlands giving health insurance discounts to vegetarians] to the class you spoke with ... about half of whom have not touched meat or dairy since your March 20 presentation which, by the way, was THE BEST yet!!

From: Professor Aletia Droba [Wayne State U.]
Sent: Sunday, April 08, 2007 10:10 PM

It was inspiring to hear you speak. Your talk was all the students wanted to talk about on Friday! I am excited about trying to teach them how to find and retain the reasoning that sees one through the tough aspects of change. Many seem really committed to lowering their meat intake and I gave them several ways to do that. I will be teaching a summer class I would love to have you come to!

From: Prof. Mel Seesholtz [Penn State-Abington]
Sent: Tuesday, March 20, 2007 4:01 PM

You were absolutely right: the best yet! Two students from my Medieval Lit class attended. I'd invited to whole class, along with my PHIL 435 class. They were talking about your presentation in my other two classes. You HIT, big time.

From: Prof. DeAnna Varela [El Paso Community College]
Sent: Monday, February 19, 2007 5:25 PM

Thanks for speaking to my students at EPCC. I had FIVE students from Friday's class tell me they haven't eaten any meat since your presentation [and they want to keep it up]! Anyway, thanks for the great presentations.

From: Professor Phil Hamlin [U. of Tennessee]
Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 1:36 PM

Gary, I thought you did a fine job! And we'll do it again in the Fall. Let me know your address and I'll send you a copy of the chapter in the 242 text which addresses issues having to do with animals.

From: Professor Nicole Pitts [Oakland Community College-Southfield (MI) Campus]
Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2007 8:22 PM

Just so you know at least two of my students are vegans and one is on the path because of your presentation; you really do make a difference in people's lives! In fact, just this evening I gave a student a copy of the video I made of you about three years ago so that her grandmother can see it. Your work is so important, and I can see the results in my life and the lives of students I've been in touch with.

Messages from Educators, 2006

From: Prof. Ian MacKinnon [U. of Akron]
Sent: Friday, December 08, 2006 10:03 AM

Your visit was the highlight of this Fall's classes.

From: Prof. Donald N. Blakeley [Fresno St.]
Sent: Thursday, December 07, 2006 12:31 AM

Just a note of thanks for your willingness to come and talk to the ethics class. They really enjoyed your presentation. A couple of people changed the topic of their final paper to veganism. Thank you again for making yourself available. It is much appreciated.

From: Retired Prof. Gordon Michael Brown [Grossmont College]
Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2006 5:00 PM

Friday evening, December 1st, was the sixth time I've had the good fortune to hear and see your presentation. This one was one of the very best! I like how you have reincorporated the “edge” of your earlier presentations (ca. 2002), again without alienating students or berating them. Your approach always allows students to make the inference for themselves: “I share complicity in the enslavement, torture, and murder of animals!” Two high points for me: One was seeing you show enormous compassion for the mature woman who broke down in tears while she tried to formulate her question about her friend's llamas. That was epic! Wish we had caught it on video. The other was being seated next to two other heroic individuals, Dr. Jerry Vlasak and Pamelyn Ferdin. I was honored to be in the presence of not just one but three people who put their asses on the line every day for animals. Keep doing what you're doing, my friend...you are still the man.

From: Prof. Alyssa Chen [U. of Michigan]
Sent: Monday, November 27, 2006 1:27 AM

That was the best one I've seen yet--I loved it. I'm so glad you included us in your schedule. You were terrific, as always.

From: Prof. Jack Lessenberry [Wayne State U.]
Sent: Tuesday, November 14, 2006 5:08 PM

You were better than ever!

From: Prof. Maria Hollendonner [U. of Akron]
Sent: Sunday, November 12, 2006 10:29 AM

My sister has been an almost vegetarian for a while (occasionally eating fish or chicken), but after the lecture, she has decided to go back to being vegan (which she used to be). So, it worked! Thanks.

From: Prof. Elizabeth Wilson [U. of Cincinnati]
Sent: Monday, November 06, 2006 9:11 AM

They loved your speech. Many of my students have not had meat since the lecture and are living a veg lifestyle.

From: Prof Mckay Jenkins [U. of Delaware]
Sent: Friday, October 27, 2006 11:11 AM

Thanks for another excellent class yesterday. Inspiring, as always.

From: Prof. Lynn Gilden [UTEP]
Sent: Sunday, October 08, 2006 5:49 PM

Thanks for the lectures. We had some great discussions. You might be surprised at how many of them claim they are now reassessing their meet eating habits. One student, who is generally very critical, told me that he agreed with everything you said. In general, they seemed to be impressed with your presentation. I'm definitely interested in having you come again.

From: Prof Chad Arnold [St. Mary's]
Sent: Tuesday, October 03, 2006 1:19 PM

Your lecture was much improved from last year, and last year's was great.

From: Prof. Dave Wiles [U. of Florida]
Sent: Monday, September 25, 2006 8:45 PM

I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your presentation last Wednesday night [at UF]. Even though I have been studying animal rights for quite some time, your presentation brought me some new thoughts. More importantly, it gave me a much needed "energy boost" as I prepare to enter the animal rights section in the two classes I'm currently teaching (59 students!). Most importantly, though, you made me feel something Wednesday evening that I have not felt in a long time. Truly, I was not only in the company of someone I respected, but someone that I found myself looking upward toward. I felt admiration. It's sad to say (and I know you can relate to this), but people simply don't turn my head much anymore. I find myself increasing disinterested in most folks. Consequently, when I'm around people, I often find myself agitated, annoyed, or (most often) simply uninspired and thus over-ready to make my way back to the solitude at my little cabin in the woods. Mostly, when around people, I simply feel "flat lined." People are just people, and although my compassion for them often runs deep, they most often have little or nothing to provide me. Thus, I applaud you with a "standing O," my friend. You are doing it, man! Unlike the ordinary Joe, you have gotten up off your ass and are running all over the country making a difference. You're an excellent speaker (I'm sad to say that my friends told me that you're better than I am), and the passion floods out of your presentation. So, in short, I guess I'm saying, "thanks" to you. Thank you from me for the inspiration. And thank you from the suffering animals out there whose lives you are attempting to make better. You're a good man, Gary! It's nice to know there are some folks like you out there! The four friends I brought really enjoyed your lecture. Moreover, you really opened the eyes of my four students who were sitting in the back row! One of them has already jumped ahead in my last class lecture. He asked, "Shouldn't we be including animals in this theory too?"!! Don't slow down, Gary. You have people cheering you on, and you are very effectively creating benevolent change. Also know that you have touched some folks in Gainesville deeply!

From: Prof. Mark Lanier [UCF]
Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2006 7:39 AM

Thanks again for coming to enlighten my students! You always have a huge impact on them—some still contact me years later to find out when your next talk is. Have safe travels my friend!

From: Prof. Ronnie Hawkins [UCF]
Sent: Sunday, September 24, 2006 7:36 AM

Thanks to YOU for all the wonderful work that you do. You seemed to have the students enthralled. One of my students came up to me afterwards to say your talk really opened his eyes and will lead to changes in his life; I'll probably hear something similar from more of my students in the days ahead. Thanks again, and keep up the good work!

From: Prof. John Burris [UCF]
Sent: Friday, September 22, 2006 2:53 PM

Tremendous effort yesterday. The tone of those talks, from my own subjective perspective, was the best I've ever seen. I personally enjoyed the first time I ever saw you the best just because I had not heard it all before, but yesterday just had a great feel to it. I felt like you were constantly stopping and reasoning in front of the students, which they like--a guy just trying to figure it all out in an honest and heartfelt way. And the conclusion really worked well. I also liked that you stopped and told them you were going to lighten it up a bit. I thought that was very effective.

From: Professor Maurice Hamington [U. of Southern Indiana]
Sent: Sunday, September 17, 2006 2:58 PM

It is always a pleasure to have you on campus. We debriefed on Friday and the most vocal people are the ones that disagree with you but as we scrutinized the arguments one-by-one they come to realize what a powerful case you make. Your work is really making a difference in this world in terms of reducing suffering. Best of luck on the tour and you are always welcome in my courses.

From: Professor Kevin Bond [University of Tennessee-Knoxville]
Sent: Friday, September 15, 2006 12:02 AM

Thank you for attending my class the other day. The students seemed very receptive to what you had to say. Several of them indicated that when they left the class they were seriously thinking about what you had said to them. For example, one woman commented that she felt so sick about it that she couldn't eat for the rest of the day. One of the men said that although he was an avid meat eater and hunter, that when he sat down to eat he suddenly really thought about what he was doing and wondered how long he could continue with it. Another woman said that on Monday night she had gotten a bunch of chicken wings from Hooters. But on Tuesday night she was unable to eat the leftovers. A handful of others were nodding their heads as these people spoke. Now, I admit that I am rather pessimistic about a lot of my classes. I feel that if I can reach about 5 students out of 25 that I am doing good. So for what its worth, by my standards I think you really started some people to seriously thinking about how they treat animals. I, for one, am going to start checking out the health food / vegetarian section of Kroger a bit more carefully. So once again, thank you for your visit. I look forward to seeing you again. If you are back in the area this semester and want a repeat, I'm sure my students would enjoy a longer Q&A session with you. Otherwise I hope to see you again in spring 2007.

From: Prof. Ian MacKinnon [U. of Akron]
Sent: Wednesday, August 02, 2006 9:28 AM

I thought your presentation excellent, especially in your readiness to respond to questions that can emerge from any number of directions.

From: Prof. Chuck Edwards [Penn State-State College]
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2006 12:07 PM

Two of my student's group assignments made mention of your speech and material. There were several students that were touched.

From: Prof. Maria Hollendonner [U. of Akron]
Sent: Thursday, July 27, 2006 11:15 AM

I just wanted to write and let you know I liked the changes I noticed in the talk. My students did an extra credit paper on your talk and a couple of them mentioned the part about whether or not animals would choose an open field or the killing floor. This vivid illustration must have captured this issue for them. The guy in the back with all of the questions felt enlightened and decided to go vegetarian.

From: Dr Frances B Woodford [Community College of Philadelphia]
Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2006 3:41 PM

The response to your lectures was quite astounding in both classes! I have a number of students writing very good essays about your lecture, specifically, the effectiveness of your style.

From: Professor Patrizia Longo [St. Mary’s College in CA]
Sent: Saturday, May 06, 2006 2:22 PM

Thank you so much for your energy, humor and dedication … your work is worthwhile. After your lecture five girls in my class (out of 14 students) decided to become vegetarian. Although they are not vegan (yet), this is a great success. Thank you again for all your work and positive energy. Let's definitely keep in touch and I will see you in the fall semester.

From: Prof. David Skrbina [U of Michigan-Dearborn]
Sent: Saturday, April 22, 2006 5:15 PM

The feedback from the students was almost uniformly positive, some bordering on life-changing. So, once again, you did a fine job.

From: Teacher Joel Thomas-Adams [Deerfield Academy in MA]
Sent: Tuesday, April 18, 2006 11:58 PM

Lots of great buzz around here today. I arrived for dorm duty tonight to find a group of six girls waiting to talk to me: "We want to become vegans. How do we start?" Right on!

From: Professor Frances Woodford [Community College of Philadelphia]
Sent: Thursday, April 13, 2006 1:44 PM

I thought you might like some writings from a couple of my students. They gave me permission to use their names. Kellie McFarlane wrote: "Gary Yourofsky is a very bright man with his head straight. He said that meat is a dead corpse cut up in pieces. This is nothing but the truth. When he said that, I realized that it is actually disgusting eating meat. I appreciate people like Gary in the world. I really like speeches that have a meaning to them, just like Gary's." Shyeema Robinson wrote: "Gary Yourofsky showed me that there are more animals to love other than my dog, Beezer, and my rabbit, Thumper. Every day thousands of animals and marine animals are slaughtered. These animals die violent deaths, but they should die of old age. These animals, who are taken to slaughterhouses created by humans, are torn to pieces there. Gary, who ate meat for twenty-five years became a vegan after experiencing slaughter house actions with his own eyes. After I saw the video, I became sick and irritated. I knew animals were killed and sold in the market, but like Gary said, ‘You are all blinded.’ I was blind as a bat and only had compassion for Beezer, Thumper, the bunnies in my yard, the possums in my trash, and the deer who walk toward the headlights of my car. I never once wondered about what happened to the frozen turkey, the chicken nuggets, or the thin sliced ham. Before I met Gary, meat was no problem to consume. It's been a week since Gary has talked with us and I haven't touched any meat. When I recently went to the market, I just looked at the meat that was packaged. Pictures of the slaughter house video still play in my mind. My stomach turns when I think of the video; it's like a nightmare. Gary inspired me to look beyond the animals I see every day and the love the ones who have died and will die. My mind has changed and now I love every worm to every huge scary beast.

From: Prof. Mel Seesholtz [PSU-Abington]
Sent: Thursday, March 30, 2006 5:57 PM

I showed your and Kate's DVD in class today. Amazing reaction. About a third of the students (female and male) cried during the "graphic footage." Me too, even though I've seen it many, many times before. Our common reaction was... "bonding"... You may be hearing from some of them.

From: Prof. Jessica Greenebaum [Central Conn. St. U.]
Sent: Friday, March 17, 2006 6:55 PM

Want to say thank you once again. You were great. You not only affected my students' life, you got the old vegan feeling radicalized again.

From: Prof. Mel Seesholtz [PSU-Abington]
Sent: Thursday, March 16, 2006 1:31 PM

Hope the tour is going well this year. One of my students brought up in class that he's a trapper ... uses bear-claw traps. I guess my reaction caught the class's attention. So we took a break from the scheduled material and I showed your (and Kate’s) DVD today. Watching their faces said it all. Many blinders crashed to the ground. Some asked where they could get the DVD, so you may be hearing from them. Word spread, so later this month I'm showing the DVD in another class. We're calling it a "special topics" day. Thanks for everything.

From: Prof. Mark Lanier [UCF]
Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2006 7:23 AM

Hey thanks to you once again. I really hope that you can secure funding to keep up the important work.

From: Prof. John Burris [UCF]
Sent: Sunday, March 12, 2006 4:46 PM

If you don't get funding next term, it may well happen not long after. Hopefully you can stay afloat in a reasonable way if that happens. Regardless, it has been a profound and productive run as it has been--and when you keep looking at this environmental literature the whole thing can seem just a touch prophetic. If it is 50 years until we run into big problems it is still quite prophetic. If it is 20-25, then it really does change the scope of what has been going on in those classrooms from my end. The urgency of your presentation will seem a lot more on the point rather than anything else. Still, and obviously, the ethical angle is not based in time but is atemporal and the central point. Since you have always spoken in my classes within the context of ahimsa, I think I can say that we are fully aligned together on that point.

From: Prof. Ana S. Hill [OSU – Animal AG]
Sent: Saturday, March 04, 2006 1:48 PM

Thank you for coming into the class! I have received some excellent feedback from several students, with the common theme being that they appreciated your sharing your views and expressing your passion about the subjects presented. A lot of thinking is going on among them and I think that's a good beginning toward considering a new point of view. Thank you for taking your time to come visit us and I look forward to your speaking to a whole new group in the spring.

From: Prof. Priscilla K Sakezles [U. of Akron]
Sent: Saturday, March 04, 2006 2:32 PM

You had an impact on a lot of them, as usual. I’m teaching this summer, so let me know if you’re still at it then.

From: Prof. Ana S. Hill [OSU – ANIMAL AG DEPT.]
Sent: Sunday, February 19, 2006 7:01 PM

I know you haven't even had a chance to talk yet this quarter and the time has rolled around for me to invite you to come speak to our contemporary issues course on animal welfare for Spring Quarter now. Your presentation on veganism and ethical choices is always well received and the students benefit greatly from your input, ideas, information and commentary! Please let me know if you are willing to speak for us again and which Tuesdays would fit into your schedule.

From: Prof. Valerie Santos [Cal St.-Long Beach]
Sent: Friday, February 17, 2006 8:39 PM

Thanks again for a great presentation. As of today, my daughter is a former PETA Business Friend. I also stopped my support.

From: Prof. Kenneth Hansen [Fresno St.]
Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2006 11:46 AM

You're entirely welcome for the [$100] donation. It sounded like you'd gone through a rough time with PETA and all that. I'm glad somebody isn't afraid to exercise their free speech rights, so I figure I should put my money where my mouth is. They seem to be a pretty decent class, so I'm glad you enjoyed your visit. I'm trying to offer an intro to environmental politics class next semester. You're welcome to join us again.

From: Prof. Mike Becker [Fresno St.]
Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2006 2:45 PM

First off, whatever you said this time, keep it up. Best response ever by far. I had excellent--composed, constructive, good questions, informative--20 minute discussions in both classes. (They could have filled the entire class if I had time). Out of the blue several students said they were going vegetarian or vegan, and one vegetarian said he was going vegan. Thanks for your continuing work. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help keep you on the road and lecturing.

From: Prof. Stephen E Schmid [U. of Wisconsin-Janesville]
Sent: Friday, February 10, 2006 10:49 AM

thanks for joining us. we spent a good part of the next class talking about the presentation and arguments. many students had spent the weekend thinking about the plight of animals and what they were eating.

From: Prof. Elizabeth Wilson [U. of Cincinnati]
Sent: Friday, February 10, 2006 12:12 PM

After looking at the students’ assignments, it seemed like the majority of students really took to you. They really liked your speech and enjoyed their time with you.

From: Professor Linda Morrison [Oakland University]
Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 10:49 AM

The students thought you were great, too!! I think your new approach is even more effective. Some had seen you before and remarked on the contrast—they were impressed with the changes too and definitely support your efforts. And, I'm planning to try some of those vegan chewy protein products! I'll check out your site for recommendations. Thanks for coming, I'll hope to see you again in the fall.

From: Professor Maurice Hamington [U. of Southern Indiana]
Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2006 10:13 AM

We are the ones who, of course, should be thanking you. I know that we never do enough for you. The lectures certainly enrich the lives of our students and make them think in ways that are exactly what a college experience should give them. You are always welcome in my classroom. Best of luck in the future and I hope that someone comes to their senses and funds your important work.

From: Teacher Kevin Jordan [Oakland High School in CA]
Sent: Monday, January 09, 2006 6:04 PM

Hey Gary Thanks for giving the talks to our kids. I know you have reached a bunch of them. Some have decided to do a vegetarian spin of "supersize me" where they will only eat healthy no meat foods for a month. They are turning it into their senior project so if they contact you don't be surprised.


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