1. MARC S. MULLINAX, PH.D., PROFESSOR
Department of History, Religion and Philosophy
Telephone: +1 828.689.1216
Fax: +1 828.689.1309
Email: mmullinax@mhu.edu
27 July 2016
KELLY BERTRAM
To Whom It May Concern:
I am very pleased to offer my reflections on the above applicant. In a word, she is most worthy of your further attention.
Full Disclosure: Ms. Bertram and I were in a summer 2016 course in Seoul, Korea at Ewha Womans University; I have not
had a long-term experience of her abilities or her expertise in her major. However, I do want to reflect here on the classroom
habits she brought to my classroom and, because such a constellation of habits in any single student, in my estimation, is rare, I
thought you should know about my experience.
“Living World Religions in Seoul” was a small class, and I conducted this class in a semi-seminar style. In each class period,
Ms. Bertram showed initiative to offer her insights from the text-reading, from her experience, or to raise an apt question
that led to further elucidating discussions. Thus, I was very happy to have such a self-starter in the class.
Her course work was nearly perfect, an A+. Why? Her written journals were meticulously crafted, with hardly an English
grammar mistake. She addressed the writing prompts, and added more besides. Her mid-term and final tests were also near
perfect.
Finally, our course had five field trips, one after the classroom study of each of the five major religions. There was also a
sixth and optional trip she participated in: an overnight Buddhist Temple Stay. For each trip, Ms. Bertram was engaged as a
student in “questioning mode” – she brought her class learnings to the field trips and asked great questions that reflected
her great absorption of the course material.
From my perspective, Ms. Bertram’s attitude and skill-sets are worth my comment. Her academic compass is calibrated well
and points true north. I found her to be a self-initiating, highly competent and engaging student (and I get few such students
these days). She enjoys the entire learning process. I trust you will find her equally wonderful as you consider her for your
discipline or business.
Sincerely yours,
Marc S. Mullinax