The start of syllabus season

It's 9:32 a.m., and room 319 in Willard Hall Education Building is buzzing with conversations. Sam Waters looks around, taking it all in. He's been nervously anticipating his first day at the University of Delaware for a while, and now he's eager to get started.

Over the loud chatter, Waters stands at the front of the room and jumps right in.

"My name is Sam Waters - you can call me Sam or Professor Waters, whatever works for you," he says. A quick survey of the room reveals that about half of his Pre-Calculus students are new to UD, just like him.

Waters, an assistant professor of mathematical sciences, recently earned his doctorate degree from University of Northern Colorado. He had his own first-day jitters to work through, most notably technology issues and the logistics of teaching three sections of math in three different locations. He is excited to launch his academic career at UD.

"I'm looking forward to being in a new environment, taking the time to get to know students on a personal level and making UD's traditions my own," he said. "My goal for this year is to adapt and pace myself, staying in the moment of all the newness that the academic year brings."