Feb. 4, 2021

Inspiring teacher: David Englund, senior lecturer of agribusiness and applied economics

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Senior lecturer David Englund brings energy, passion and humor to his courses.

For David Englund, learning is synonymous with growing as a person. It’s a concept he emphasizes as he teaches Principles of Microeconomics, Elements of Economics, Money and Banking, Agricultural Marketing and works with the student chapter of the National Agri-Marketing Association.

“Every little bit of education that we can acquire improves our lives immensely,” said Englund, who joined the NDSU faculty in 2013. “We improve our reading, writing and speaking skills. Our analytical skills and problem-solving abilities improve, as well as our understanding of so many aspects of the world we live in. If I can be even a small part of this process, I have accomplished something important.”

Englund believes strongly in life-long learning, another point he underscores with his students. “I want them to care about learning, become more inquisitive and strive for reaching their potential,” he said. “Hopefully, I motivate students to dig down and find their best effort.”

Some of Englund’s classes can be large, having as many as 275 students. But he tries to know the names of as many as he can. He also makes a daily practice of calling on individuals to speak.

“Engaging students involves continuous effort. I try to bring energy, enthusiasm, passion, personality and a little humor to class every day,” he said. “Students are most engaged when they are talking about the material. I try to pair or group them up each day to discuss challenging or fun aspects of the material.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the landscape of higher education, and Englund teaches his courses virtually this semester. Even though he isn’t face-to-face with students, he does his best to stay accessible. He logs in early to every class to visit with students online before the session begins and he schedules individual Zoom meetings with students and advisees.

Popular with students, Englund has received the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture’s Educator’s Award and the Bison Ambassadors’ Apple Polisher Award.

“If I can make learning just a little bit fun and help students become happy, educated thinkers, then I have enhanced the college experience for them,” Englund said.

Categories: Inspiring Teachers
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