1. Gary Gemmill, Ph.D.
iMBA Comments
WHAT QUALITIES OR CHARACTERISTICS HELPED TO MAKE THIS
INSTRUCTOR EFFECTIVE?
2014 - 2015
Professor Gemmill cares about eachstudent. Each student felt lost
at the start of the Residency,but he servedas a guide to lead the
class to a place where we each tookon leadershiproles,we all
experiencedpower and authority over ourselves. Professor
Gemmill has changed by life!
This was my far the best and most valuable course I have ever
taken at Syracuse University. Professor Gemmill’s classes should
be a part of the requiredcourses for the MBA program.
He is open and encourages his students.
Genuine caring for the learning process ofthe students.
His experience and his demeanor all played a vital role in making
this class so wonderful. Professor Gemmill’s communicationskills
are the reasonfor such clear lessons that are taught.
This course shouldbe offered throughout the academic
year…every student needs this experience.
Brought the best out ofeach student.
He allows for expressive thinking and talking.
Professor Gemmill’s course is designedto figure your self out and
it does that.

2. Amazing experience. Wish I had taken it sooner! Made some of the
best friend yet in the MBA program and I’m almost done.
He has the ability to stimulate thought provoking discussions
between students from all walks of life. Because of the bonds that
are formedbetween classmates while taking the course,I feel it
should be a requiredcourse for all MBA students.
He is very thought provoking and introspective ina deep way.
This class is its own kind and doesn’t even fall under the standard
radio-buttonquestions above. I didn’t get it at first…nor didmany
people…andI know I found it frustrating at times but looking back
on the class,it was an awesome experience that everyone should
have and I lookforward to taking all ofGemmill’s classes.
His “safe” demeanor;there is something innately secure about Dr.
Gemmill’s presence in the room that allows deep explorationof
emotional issues in a group.
Professor Gemmill is aman at a level beyond human!
Professor Gemmill cares. Genuinely cares which is a very rare
attitude these days.
At first you really feel lost,but you learn so much about yourself,
it’s really a great class. He is more than willing to help youclear
things up outside class.
His outstanding ability to convey concepts and ideas that are
difficult to graspand understand.
He is extremely intelligent and thought provoking. He lives what
he teaches.
He is kind, sensitive,and spunky.
He is non-traditional, thought provoking, and has an outstanding
ability to relate.

3. He was human, caring,knew his material and his students,
published exceptional articles,selectedand led a strong groupof
assistants.
He is very supportive ofhis students comments during class.
People are not ‘shot down’ for their opinions which allows for real
learning to flourish.
He had a lot of enthusiasm towardwhat was going on. His ability to
stimulate youto think about unconscious groupissues was
extremely helpful.
He has innovative qualities---not stuffy or textbook. He makes you
‘live’ the teachings, doesn’t preach them.
He is enthusiastic,dedicated, open, caring, and flexible. It was
obvious that he enjoys his work;this translatedto an enjoyable
and valuable experience for me.
Dr. Gemmill was very knowledgeable on the topic. He is a true
authority.
What a great instructor,he has so much experience and knowledge
to share with his students. All MBA’s should be requiredto take
this course.
Dynamic, open, approachable, enthusiastic and very
knowledgeable;Great course!
His personality and humor make the course insightful and fun.
His insights into the subject matter is amazing. His course should
be mandatory for all students.
His ability to communicate and get everyone involved.

4. There is an organic quality where Professor Gemmill treats the
students as peers in the course’s journey. He easily keeps student
engaged and informed.
His wisdom and objectivity deepen the learning process ina
powerful manner.
His creativity,friendliness,openness to our ideas and expands on
our ideas.
As with all of Professor Gemmill’s,his offerings are topnotch---I
wouldn’t change a thing.
He helps you take a goodlookat yourselfand reflect on your own
triumphs and shortcomings. He helps students become better
communicators bothinbusiness and personal life.
Self discovery and awareness.
He helps students interact at a very deep level. We don’t get that
opportunity in other iMBA classes.
Best instructor I have ever had…his care and concern for students
gaining knowledge and concepts is amazing. He encourageda
vibrant discussion.
Professor Gemmill was the highlight of the course. It has not often
been, nor lately that I’ve been able to give my professors high
marks---thrill to consider Professor Gemmill the clearest
exception….thankyou. The readings and published works of the
professor have been fascinating and highly interesting…anew
perspective on a “clichéd” subject. I most appreciate that Professor
Gemmill has placeda most personal spin on such a
business/professional subject matter. I’m pleasedthat debunking
is alive and well in Professor Gemmill’s courses.
His vast knowledge of his area of focus and willingness to openly
share it with us.

5. What I appreciate most about Professor Gemmill is his emphasis
and flexibility that course materials be MEANINGFULto the
individual student.
Totally awesome class,professor was great!!
This was an excellent and unique course;one ofthe best learning
experiences of my life.
Exceptional instruction.
I’ve said this before; this course or one of the three courses should
be mandatory for students. Perhaps this could replace the
leadershipcourse. The ability to interact at a deep personal level
with others in the MBA program is an invaluable experience. You
come away with a deeper understanding ofthe subject matter and
relationships that could last a lifetime.
During the residency the instructor was extremely openand
honest about the learning experience and the intended goal of the
intense portionof the discussions.
Everyone involved. Everyone contributedto my experience.
Gemmill’s final feedback on my reflectionpaper was the best and
most honest (from the heart) feedback I have ever received. It has
taught me the influence oftruthful and inspirational feedbackof
the future.
Gemmill is just the best!!! So supportive and encouraging through
a strange and amazing experience.
Gary’s and Cal’s experience and interpersonal skills make them the
best instructors in my entire educational experience.
His passionfor the course and its subject matter are secondto
none.
Knowledge of the subject matter and ability to connect with
students.

6. During the residency the instructor was extremely open and honest
about the learning experience and the intended goalof the intense
portion of the discussions.
Everyone involved. Everyone contributed to my experience. Gemmill's
final feedback on my reflection paper was the best and most honest
(from the heart) feedback I have ever received. It has taught me the
influence of truthful and inspirational feedback on future performance.
Gary and Cal have a very unique teaching ability that forces the
students to be very active participants in their own real, experiential
learning. They do not force the learning on the class but have a very
effective way of guiding the experiences so that we make the most out of
them ourselves
Gary's and Cal's experience and interpersonal skills make them the best
instructors in my entire educationalexperience.
Gemmill is just the best!!! So supportive and encouraging through a
strange and amazing experience.
His passionfor the course and its subject matter are secondto none.
Knowledge of subject matter and ability to connectwith students.
The open classroomlearning style.
Gemmill is just the best!!!
Bestcourse in the MBA program!!!
I would not change this course for the world, which is why it saddens
me so much that it will no longer be offered in the future, as part of the
new MBA@Syracuseprogram. I sincerelyhope the elimination of this
course is reconsideredatsome point in the future, as this, not to
mention the others that Gary and Cal teach, have changedmy life, both
personally and professionally.
Please do not take away this course. So valuable to our future. I believe

7. all students and faculty should be required to go through Gemmill's
series. Unfortunately, my courses fornext semesterdo not allow me to
continue growing as a person. I wish there were more accommable
times in the schedule so that more students may attend this very
important series.
I would request reconsiderationof eliminating this, and the other, SHR
courses that Gary and Calteach. I have found them to be of tremendous
value, and I'm 100% positive that any other individuals who have taken
these courses wouldwholeheartedlyagree.